HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

Peter Bottomley: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what body formally employs the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Archy Kirkwood: The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is an Officer of the House. Her employer is the House of Commons Commission.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

Peter Bottomley: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements are in place for monitoring the work of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Archy Kirkwood: Since the appointment of the first Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in 1995 it has been recognised that the formal appraisal arrangements for senior Officers of the House are not appropriate for the special circumstances of the post. Both Commissioners have discussed their work from time to time with the Speaker and the Clerk of the House. In addition, Standing Order No. 149 (1)(b) provides that the Committee on Standards and Privileges shall oversee the work of the Commissioner.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

Peter Bottomley: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when (a) the Commission and (b) the Chairman last held a formal meeting with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Archy Kirkwood: The Commission has not held a formal meeting with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. The Speaker last held a meeting with the Commissioner on 14 January 2002.

Euro

Graham Allen: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will ensure that the House canteens, refreshment outlets and gift shops will accept euros from 1 January 2002, and that those Members who wish it will be entitled to be paid in euros from 1 January 2002.

Archy Kirkwood: holding answer 14 January 2002
	With regard to the acceptance of euros by the House of Commons Refreshment Department, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn) on 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 876W. As for the question of paying Members' salaries in euros, this is a matter for the President of the Council.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Returners' Bonus

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were paid the returners' bonus by 31 October.

Stephen Timms: None. Up to 31 December, 17 local education authorities and one non-maintained special school had submitted claims in respect of payments made to 36 teachers. The bulk of claims will not be made until later this year.

Teacher Vacancies (Kirklees)

Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in Kirklees metropolitan council area each month from January 1997 to December 2001 in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available in the form requested.
	Vacancies for full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in Kirklees local authority, in January of each year from 1997, were as follows:
	
		
			   Nursery and primary Secondary 
		
		
			 1997 1 1 
			 1998 0 6 
			 1999 2 1 
			 2000 0 3 
			 2001 5 5

Special Educational Needs

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils there are with SEN statements at each of the secondary schools in (a) Teesside area and (b) the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools: Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN), as at January 2001
		
			  School name  LEA name  Parliamentary constituency Number of pupils with statements of SEN 
		
		
			 Brierton School Hartlepool Hartlepool 24 
			 Dyke House Comprehensive School Hartlepool Hartlepool 26 
			 High Tunstall Comprehensive School Hartlepool Hartlepool 13 
			 Manor College of Technology Hartlepool Hartlepool 15 
			 The English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College Hartlepool Hartlepool 17 
			 Hall Garth School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 32 
			 King's Manor School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 17 
			 Langbaurgh School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 14 
			 Ormesby School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 69 
			 Coulby Newham School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 46 
			 Keldholme School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 21 
			 Acklam Grange School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 10 
			 Brackenhoe School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 19 
			 St. Anthony's RC School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 15 
			 The Newlands Catholic School FCJ Middlesbrough Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 3 
			 St. David's Roman Catholic School Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 5 
			 Eston Park School Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 42 
			 Laurence Jackson School Redcar and Cleveland Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 24 
			 Huntcliff School Redcar and Cleveland Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 10 
			 Bydales School Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 23 
			 Gillbrook Technology College Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 15 
			 Nunthorpe School Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 13 
			 Rye Hills School Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 13 
			 West Redcar Community School Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 23 
			 Saint Peter's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, South Bank Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 8 
			 Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Comprehensive School Redcar and Cleveland Redcar 4 
			 Thornaby Community School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 55 
			 Egglescliffe School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 8 
			 Conyers School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 8 
			 Northfield School Stockton on Tees Stockton North 6 
			 The Norton School Stockton on Tees Stockton North 30 
			 Bishopsgarth School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 55 
			 Blakeston Community School Stockton on Tees Stockton North 50 
			 Grangefield School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 16 
			 Billingham Campus School Stockton on Tees Stockton North 30 
			 St. Michael's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Comprehensive School Stockton on Tees Stockton North 5 
			 Our Lady and St. Bede RC School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 15 
			 St. Patrick's RC Comprehensive School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 2 
			 Ian Ramsey Church of England Aided Comprehensive School Stockton on Tees Stockton South 14 
		
	
	Source:
	DfES 2001 Secondary school performance tables.

Teacher Vacancies (Hillingdon)

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in the London borough of Hillingdon local education authority at (a) January 2001, (b) September 2001 and (c) January 2002 in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools.

Stephen Timms: The numbers of full-time vacancies for teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in Hillingdon in January 2001 were as follows:
	
		
			  Number of vacancies 
		
		
			 Nursery and primary 16 
			 Secondary 30 
		
	
	The sample survey conducted by my Department in September 2001 did not collect vacancy data by local education authority. The results of the January 2002 survey of teacher numbers and vacancies will be published in April, in the normal way.

Overseas Teachers (Hillingdon)

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas teachers were working in the London borough of Hillingdon local education authority at December 2001 in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools, broken down by country of origin.

Stephen Timms: This information is not collected centrally.

Teacher Vacancies (Chesham and Amersham)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there are in local education authority schools in Chesham and Amersham.

Stephen Timms: My Department only collects teacher vacancies at local education authority level. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady) on 19 November 2001, Official Report, columns 59–60W.

Revenue Funding

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total amount of revenue funding per pupil available for children in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Staffordshire, (ii) Hertfordshire and (iii) England has been in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is contained in the table.
	
		£ per pupil 
		
			  Primary Secondary  
			 Cash SSA Grants Total SSA Grants  Total 
		
		
			 Staffordshire   
			 1997–98 1,930 30 1,970 2,530 30 2,560 
			 1998–99 2,040 40 2,070 2,650 30 2,680 
			 1999–2000 2,150 90 2,250 2,760 60 2,820 
			 2000–01 2,240 250 2,490 2,880 200 3,080 
			 2001–02 2,330 410 2,740 3,000 310 3,310 
			 Change(1) 390 380 770 470 280 750 
			 Real   
			 1997–98 2,070 30 2,110 2,710 30 2,740 
			 1998–99 2,120 40 2,160 2,760 30 2,800 
			 1999–2000 2,190 100 2,290 2,810 60 2,870 
			 2000–01 2,240 250 2,490 2,880 200 3,080 
			 2001–02 2,270 400 2,670 2,930 300 3,230 
			 Change(1) 200 370 570 210 270 480 
			
			 Hertfordshire   
			 1997–98 2,130 30 2,170 2,790 30 2,810 
			 1998–99 2,260 40 2,300 2,930 30 2,960 
			 1999–2000 2,370 100 2,470 3,020 70 3,090 
			 2000–01 2,240 250 2,720 3,170 190 3,360 
			 2001–02 2,610 430 3,030 3,330 310 3,640 
			 Change(1) 470 390 860 540 280 830 
			 Real   
			 1997–98 2,290 30 2,320 2,990 30 3,010 
			 1998–99 2,350 40 2,390 3,050 40 3,090 
			 1999–2000 2,410 100 2,510 3,080 70 3,140 
			 2000–01 2,470 250 2,720 3,170 190 3,360 
			 2001–02 2,540 420 2,960 3,250 300 3,550 
			 Change(1) 250 380 640 260 270 540 
			
			 England   
			 1997–98 2,130 30 2,160 2,780 30 2,810 
			 1998–99 2,250 40 2,290 2,920 40 2,960 
			 1999–2000 2,370 110 2,490 3,030 80 3,110 
			 2000–01 2,470 290 2,760 3,180 230 3,410 
			 2001–02 2,590 500 3,090 3,310 380 2,690 
			 Change(1) 460 470 930 530 350 880 
			 Real   
			 1997–98 2,280 30 2,320 2,980 30 3,010 
			 1998–99 2,340 50 2,390 3,040 40 3,080 
			 1999–2000 2,410 120 2,530 3,080 80 3,170 
			 2000–01 2,470 290 2,760 3,180 230 3,410 
			 2001–02 2,520 490 3,010 3,230 370 3,600 
			 Change(1) 240 450 700 250 340 590 
		
	
	(1) Change since 1997–98
	Notes:
	1. The figures reflect Education SSA (primary and secondary blocks respectively) plus all school related revenue grants in DfES's DEL relevant to pupils aged 5–10 (primary) and 11–15 (secondary).
	2. The primary and secondary grant figures include notional allocations for those grants in support of more than one sector.
	3. Pupil numbers underlying the £ per pupil figures are those underlying the SSA calculations (primary and secondary sub- blocks respectively).
	4. Real terms figures are calculated using GDP deflators published by the Treasury 20 December 2001.
	5. 2001–02 figures are provisional as decisions on some funding allocations have yet to be finalised. The figures are thus liable to be revised later on in the year.
	6. Figures rounded to the £10. Difference figures may not sum due to funding.

Teacher Training

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to ensure a percentage of teacher training places are available to schools and graduates in North Staffordshire.

Stephen Timms: In allocating college-based and employment-based initial teacher training places, the Teacher Training Agency gives priority to high-quality provision. In allocating college-based places the agency also has regard wherever possible to the need for a balanced geographical distribution.

Graduate Trainee Programme

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are set for (a) schools and (b) graduate applicants in respect of a successful application to the Graduate Trainee Programme.

Stephen Timms: All entrants to the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) must meet the general requirements both for admission to postgraduate courses of initial teacher training laid down in my Department's Circular 4/98 and for admission to employment-based teacher training prescribed by the Education (Teachers' Qualifications and Health Standards) (England) Regulations 1999, as amended. Decisions on which applications to approve are taken by the Teacher Training Agency, which administers the programme on my Department's behalf. The criteria which the agency applies to reach those decisions are published in the booklet "How to Apply for the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programmes in England", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

Ofsted

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Ofsted inspections have been carried out in schools in the Buckingham constituency in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: This is a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools and I have therefore asked Mike Tomlinson to write to the hon. Member and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Early Years Excellence

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 934W, on Early Years Excellence, 
	(1)  when she expects to announce the results of the assessment of the interests of Somerford Infant School;
	(2)  by what means her Department plans to follow up interest in Somerford Infant School;
	(3)  whether the further guidance issued on 5 October 1991 was sent direct to Somerford Infant School; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The additional guidance issued on 5 October 2001 was not sent to Somerford Infant School, but to Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships, local authorities and others who received the February 2001 guidance, in response to which the school submitted its expression of interest in joining the programme.
	Officials provided feedback to Somerford on their proposals in June 2001, and will shortly further follow up Somerford's interest in the programme by contacting the headteacher of the school in the first instance.
	Following expressions of interest, the Department announces only the names of newly designated Early Excellence Centres. Such announcements are made periodically.

School Meals

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the funding for the national food in schools programme has been allocated; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The majority of funding for the food in schools programme has not yet been allocated. We are working with the Department for Education and Skills to develop proposals that cover the breadth of opportunities for food in schools. The programme will aim to bring together all food related initiatives in schools and after-school clubs to improve both health and learning, and ensure consistent information is given about health and nutrition. Following an advisory forum meeting in the summer, proposals are being put together into a series of pilot schemes that can be tested throughout the country. This includes assessing existing initiatives as well as new ones to ensure that the programme builds on and supports existing work in schools by a number of organisations.

TREASURY

Departmental Expenditure Limits

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of contingency reserves in (a) departmental expenditure limits and (b) annually managed expenditure in (i) 2002–03, (ii) 2003–04 and (iii) 2004–05.

Andrew Smith: The Government's latest view of the planned DEL Reserve and the forecast AME Margin are given in tables B16 and B13 respectively of the pre-Budget report (Cm 5318), up to the final year for which public spending plans have been published (2003–04).

Local Authorities' Capital Receipts

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistical assessment he has made of the effect of the release of local authorities' capital receipts on the public sector borrowing requirement.

Andrew Smith: The release of local authorities' capital receipts is taken into account in the published forecasts of public borrowing.

All-party Parliamentary Groups

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many all-party Parliamentary groups have received funding in each of the last four years; and how much was received in each year by each group.

Andrew Smith: Four all-party parliamentary groups have received funding from the Treasury in the last four years. They are the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) and the British-Irish Parliamentary Group (BIPG).
	The amount of grant in aid paid to each of the groups in each of the last four years is set out in the table.
	
		£ 
		
			  IPU CPA BIIP BAPG 
		
		
			 1998–99 785,000 888,750 149,000 82,124 
			 1999–2000 785,000 868,300 201,700 73,350 
			 2000–01 853,000 2,498,683 218,000 84,600 
			 2001–02 0 93,750 95,000 85,420

All-party Parliamentary Groups

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the criteria which his Department applies in awarding grants to all-party parliamentary groups.

Andrew Smith: There are no fixed criteria. Grants in aid for all-party parliamentary groups are financed from the Treasury's Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit, on the basis of an assessment of competing pressures.

Public Services Productivity

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 11 December 2001, Official Report, column 769W, on public services productivity, how many seminars have been held on the paper; on which dates these seminars have occurred; who attended the seminars; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: No seminars have been held on the paper.

Public Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the increase in public expenditure in real terms in each of the last three years.

Andrew Smith: The increases in total public spending (Total Managed Expenditure—TME) and Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) after inflation for each of the last three years on the previous year are given in the table. These figures are consistent with figures published in the pre-Budget report 2001.
	
		
			 Financial year Percentage real increase in DEL on previous year Percentage real increase in TME on previous year 
		
		
			 2000–01 3.4 3.7 
			 1999–2000 3.2 0.8 
			 1998–99 2.8 0.2

Tax Evasion

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was lost to the Inland Revenue in each of the last 10 years as a result of tax evasion.

Dawn Primarolo: No such figures are available.

Working Families Tax Credit

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for each local authority in East Lancashire the most recent take-up rates for working families tax credit and the last available take-up rates for family credit.

Dawn Primarolo: It is not possible to produce reliable estimates of take-up rates for each local authority.

Working Families Tax Credit

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in South Tyneside have benefited from the working families tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of recipients of working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit in each local authority and in each constituency are shown in "Working Families' and Disabled Person's Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical analyses", copies of which are in the Library and on the Inland Revenue website, www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk, under "Statistics".

Working Families Tax Credit

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers have been (a) fined and (b) prosecuted for wrongly calculating employees' entitlement to working families tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: None.

Tax and Underwriting Commission

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the proceeds were from the tax and underwriting commission in each of the last four years.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available.

Tax Forms

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax forms have been sent to pensioners in (a) this financial year and (b) 2000–01; how many forms have been incorrectly sent; and what is the estimated cost of sending one million tax forms.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue holds no details of the number of ITSA Returns sent to pensioners.
	The estimated cost if one million pensioner style ITSA Returns were sent is £300,000.00.

Independent Taxation

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reduction in income tax liability has been as a result of the introduction of independent taxation over the last 12 years for (a) higher rate taxpayers, (b) basic rate taxpayers and (c) the bottom 10 per cent. of earners.

Dawn Primarolo: It would be possible to provide an answer only at disproportionate cost.

Maintenance Payments

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many divorced and separated partners there are where the partner in receipt of maintenance payments has an income that falls below the tax threshold and where the partner making the payments pays tax at the (a) basic rate and (b) higher rate; and what the total amount was of tax relief at present granted on maintenance payments made by separated or divorced partners at basic rates and higher rates.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

National Insurance Contributions

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of administering the national insurance contributions system in (a) 1980, (b) 1990, (c) 2000 and (d) 2000–01 in (i) current prices and (ii) historic prices, broken down by (A) the cost of collecting contributions, (B) the cost of paying contributory benefits and pensions and (C) all other costs of recording and administering the national insurance system.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost incurred in administering the national insurance scheme in 1980, 1990 and 2000 is detailed in the National Insurance Fund Accounts for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
	These are published in White Paper Accounts and are available from the House of Commons Library.
	The 2000–01 accounts are currently being audited by the National Audit Office.

National Insurance Contributions

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated full year revenue effect of abolishing the upper earnings limit for employees' national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 135W.

Higher Rate Taxpayers

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there are in 2001–02.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to "Inland Revenue Statistics" table 2.1, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The latest version can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/it_t01–1.htm.

Dividend Income

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in each of the last four years reported dividend income to the Inland Revenue.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of taxpayers who reported dividend income to the Inland Revenue, between 1997–98 and 2000–01, are shown in the table.
	
		Number of taxpayers who reported dividend income to the Inland Revenue
		
			  Number (millions) 
		
		
			 1997–98 2.6 
			 1998–99 3.0 
			 1999–2000 3.1 
			 2000–01 3.2 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the pre-Budget report 2001.

Incomes

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax units will be on incomes, including unearned income, in excess of (a) £30,000 (b) £50,000, (c) £75,000 and (d) £100,000 in 2001–02.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of taxpayers by range of total income in 2001–02 is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Range of total income—lower limit Number (millions) 
		
		
			 £30,000 2.9 
			 £50,000 0.7 
			 £75,000 0.2 
			 £100,000 0.3 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the 1999–2000 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the November 2001 pre-Budget report.

Incomes

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax units will be on income in excess of (a) £100,000, (b) £250,000, (c) £500,000 and (d) £1 million in 2001–02.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of taxpayers in 2001–02 with income in excess of (a) £100,000, (b) £250,000, (c) £500,000 and (d) £1 million are estimated in the table.
	
		
			 Income in excess of: Number of taxpayers (thousand) 
		
		
			 £100,000 301 
			 £250,000 61 
			 £500,000 18 
			 £1,000,000 5 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the pre-Budget report 2001.

Income Tax

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the number of those who will pay income tax in 2001–02; and how many people paid income tax in each of the last four years.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to Table 2.1 of Inland Revenue Statistics. The latest version can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website http:// www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/it_t01–1.htm.

Transport Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the planned expenditure on transport as a percentage of gross domestic product in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04.

Andrew Smith: In 2001–02, total transport expenditure is estimated to be 0.91 per cent. of GDP. In 2002–03, it is estimated to be 1.02 per cent. In 2003–04, it is estimated to be 1.14 per cent.

Contingency Reserve

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by department the sums of money that have been allocated in this financial year from the contingency reserve.

Andrew Smith: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 6 December 2001, Official Report, column 524W.

Definitions

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if the Government adhere to the national accounts definitions of capital and current expenditure except in respect of the treatment of depreciation;
	(2)  what the Treasury definition of capital expenditure is for the purposes of the golden rule.

Andrew Smith: The Government's fiscal rules are defined in terms of statistics from national accounts. Performance against the golden rule is measured against the surplus on the current budget which is equal to public sector current receipts less public sector current expenditure including depreciation, all as measured in national accounts. Total managed expenditure (TME)—the Government's measure of total public expenditure—is public sector current expenditure plus capital expenditure as recorded in national accounts.
	At present for national accounts, ONS estimate depreciation for the whole of Government using an economic model. As part of the introduction of resource accounting, each central Government Department now calculates its own depreciation directly. ONS plan to start using this new data source for most of central Government in national accounts later this year.

Geoffrey Spence

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role he has given to Geoffrey Spence relating to PPPs; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: Geoffrey Spence's role at Partnerships UK is to provide the Treasury with a dedicated senior professional resource to advise on the development and implementation of PPPs.

European Accounts System

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will list the changes in the national accounts resulting from the new European system of accounts which will affect general Government expenditure;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in the national accounts resulting from the European system of accounts on general Government expenditure.

Andrew Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. John Bercow, dated 15 January 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your parliamentary questions concerning the list of changes in the national accounts resulting in the new European System of Accounts which will effect general government expenditure and what assessment has been made of the effect of these changes. I am replying in his absence. (27446, 27448).
	These questions cannot be answered fully, partly because general government expenditure is not defined in the European System of Accounts (ESA) and is no longer published and partly because differences between the old and latest versions of the ESA are no longer estimated.
	Several publications in 1998, when the UK introduced the 1995 version of ESA, documented the changes made to the national accounts. One of these was the November 1998 Pre-Budget Report (pages 123 to 125) which gave a full quantified description of the effect of introducing ESA on some of the common measures of public expenditure. Details were also given in the Office for National Statistics Blue Book and other publications published on 24 September 1998 and in an article in the July 1998 edition of Economic Trends. All these publications are available through the Library of the House.

Prospectus Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he proposes to the draft European Union Prospectus Directive.

Ruth Kelly: The most important areas where we are proposing changes can be listed as follows:
	More appropriate definitions of "home state", "qualified investor", and "public offer";
	Clarification of the scope for private and institutional placements under the directive;
	Voluntary shelf registration and annual updating;
	More appropriate disclosure requirements for professional products, SME issued securities, and third country based issuers;
	An expanded list of exemptions; and
	A more effective passport for pan-European issuers.

Public Service Agreement Target

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission independent research into the appropriateness of his Department's chosen public service agreement target.

Ruth Kelly: No.

Euro

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assistance has been made available to local authorities to issue the payment of bills or services in euros; and what plans he has to review the limit set for local authorities regarding collection of their income in non-sterling.

Ruth Kelly: Details of the Government's preparations for the introduction of euro cash in the euro area from 1 January 2002 are contained in the Fifth Report on Euro Preparations. There are no plans to issue additional guidance to local authorities at this stage.

PRIME MINISTER

Terrorism

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with President Bush concerning the campaign against terrorism.

Tony Blair: I am in regular contact with President Bush on a wide range of issues.

Lord Birt

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the projects worked upon by Lord Birt, pursuant to his recent appointment.

Tony Blair: Lord Birt provides me and other Cabinet Ministers with long-term internal strategic analysis and policy thinking.

Lord Birt

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 819W, what qualities he identified in Lord Birt that led him to appoint him to analyse the country's transport problems.

Tony Blair: As I said in my earlier answer, I appointed Lord Birt as unpaid strategy adviser because of his extensive experience of strategy formulation in both the public and private sectors.

Overseas Visits

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister on how many days in each month in 2001 he was out of the country other than on holiday; and on how many days he indicated to the Deputy Prime Minister that he would be abroad.

Tony Blair: In 2001, I made the following overseas visits:
	29 January—Germany
	9 February—Anglo-French Summit, France
	21–22 February—Canada
	22–24 February—USA
	22–24 March—European Council, Sweden
	13 June NATO summit, Belgium
	14–16 June—European Council, Sweden
	20–22 July—G8 Summit, Italy
	29 July-3 August—Jamaica, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.
	For overseas visits since 11 September, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 14 January 2001, Official Report, columns 87–89W.
	It is my practice to inform Cabinet colleagues about my overseas engagements.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Paramilitary Violence

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment beatings, shootings and expulsions have been administered by the Provisional IRA over the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: In the period 1 July to 31 December 2001 there were 146 paramilitary style attacks. Loyalist groups were responsible for 96 of these attacks (41 assaults and 55 shootings) and Republican groups for 50 attacks (15 assaults and 35 shootings). It is not always possible to attribute these attacks to any specific groupings.

Paramilitary Violence

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the number of terrorist incidents and beatings in the last six months.

Jane Kennedy: Terrorist activity during the past six months has remained at a significant level. The table provides a breakdown of the security related incidents during the last six months compared to the same period in 2000.
	
		Security situation statistics—number of terrorist incidents -- July-December 2001
		
			  July-December 2000 July-December 2001 
		
		
			 Number of deaths as a result of the security situation 13 9 
			 Number of shooting incidents 188 186 
			 Number of bombing incidents 95 229 
			 Number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style assaults 64 55 
			 Number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style shootings 74 90

Police Co-operation

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána.

John Reid: On 13 December, the Government issued a timetable for the implementation of Patten's recommendations on north/south policing co-operation. The British and Irish Governments have been working closely together to make progress, building on the existing good co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána. The practical benefits of joint operations can be seen in a recent example of co-operation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border which resulted in nine people being charged with offences relating to the smuggling and laundering of fuel.

Security Situation

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to meet Sinn Fein's hon. Members to discuss the security situation.

Jane Kennedy: We hold regular meetings with all the political parties in Northern Ireland in which a range of issues including security matters are discussed. Any request for a meeting from Sinn Fein will be considered like any other request received from a political party.

Police Ombudsman

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many investigators employed by the police ombudsman have experience in the investigation of terrorist-related crime.

John Reid: The police ombudsman has advised that 17 of the investigators employed by her office have experience in the investigation of terrorist-related crime.

Golden Jubilee Medal

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many serving police officers in Northern Ireland will be entitled to receive the Golden Jubilee medal.

John Reid: It is estimated that 9,423 police officers will have completed five years' service on 6 February 2002 and will be eligible to receive the Golden Jubilee medal.

Policing

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Assembly in respect of policing.

John Reid: I have not held any discussions with the Nl Assembly on policing, which at present remains a reserved matter.
	The policing situation in Northern Ireland is a tri-partite arrangement involving the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and myself under detailed provisions set out in the Police (NI) Act 2000.
	As Secretary of State, I am responsible for setting the statutory framework for policing and the long-term objectives for policing in Northern Ireland. The Policing Board, which is made up of democratically elected Assembly Members chosen by three of the parties and independents appointed by myself, has responsibility for holding the police to account and for monitoring and evaluating the service provided. The Chief Constable is responsible for the operational direction and control of the police service in Northern Ireland.

Belfast Agreement

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what definition he uses of the phrase parity of esteem in the Belfast agreement.

John Reid: I define the phrase parity of esteem with reference to its meaning in the Belfast agreement—which is of equal respect for the identity and ethos and aspirations of both communities in Northern Ireland.

Belfast Agreement

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Belfast agreement to be implemented in full.

John Reid: We have already made significant progress in implementing all aspects of the Belfast agreement. However, it is neither possible, nor helpful, to speculate about when this process will be completed. The agreement itself represents a process, not an event, and the British Government will continue to work with all the parties to ensure that the implementation process continues.

Belfast Agreement

Clive Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the Belfast agreement.

John Reid: Much has been achieved since April 1998. Progress has been made on all elements within the Belfast agreement including human rights and equality of opportunity, normalisation, the reviews of policing and criminal justice, decommissioning and the establishment of the devolved institutions. We still have some way to go before the agreement is implemented in full and the British Government are committed to working with the political parties to ensure that progress continues on all fronts.

Fireworks

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the sale and use of fireworks in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: Having become increasingly aware of the many problems associated with the misuse of fireworks, not least in public order situations, I announced on 12 October 2001 that my officials, working closely with the police, prosecuting authorities and other interested bodies, would be undertaking a review of the situation to see if these problems could be resolved by strengthening the existing law.
	That review should be completed within the next two months and it is my intention to produce proposals for public consultation.

Decommissioning

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the terrorist weapons which have been decommissioned.

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports he has received from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning on the level of arms and explosives put permanently beyond use.

Jane Kennedy: The IICD reported on 23 October 2001 that it had witnessed an event, which it regarded as significant, in which the IRA had put a quantity of arms completely beyond use.
	Also, on 18 December 1998, the Loyalist Volunteer Force decommissioned what the IICD described as a "small but significant" consignment of weaponry.
	The Commission listed the arms as follows:
	2 Madsen 9 mm sub-machine guns
	1 Sten 9 mm Mark 2 sub-machine gun
	1 modified Lanchester 9 mm Mark 1 sub-machine gun
	1 Steyr 7 mm rifle (1904)
	1 homemade .22 calibre rifle
	1 sawn-off double-barrelled 12 gauge shotgun
	1 FN Browning 9 mm semi automatic pistol
	1 FN 7.65 mm semi-automatic pistol
	31 12 gauge magnum 00 buckshot shotgun shells
	23 .38 calibre semi wad-cutter cartridges
	45 .556 calibre cartridges
	280 9 mm cartridges
	5 electrical detonators
	2 pipe bombs
	2 weapons stocks
	5 assorted magazines.
	15.

Decommissioning

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date he expects the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives to be completed.

Jane Kennedy: Future decommissioning events are a matter for the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and the representatives of the various paramilitary organisations.
	Decommissioning is only one part of the Good Friday agreement of which we can now say that implementation of every aspect is under way. Full implementation of the Good Friday agreement in all its aspects is a task that will take some time to accomplish.

Decommissioning

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in decommissioning; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Billericay (Mr. Baron) today, Official Report, columns 281-82W.

Electoral Fraud

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is made of national insurance numbers to combat electoral fraud.

Des Browne: National insurance numbers are not currently used to combat electoral fraud in Northern Ireland.
	I am looking carefully at the arguments which have been made for the inclusion of a person's national insurance number as one of the items of personal information required on an application to the electoral register in Northern Ireland. I am discussing with the Department for Work and Pensions how national insurance numbers might be used effectively in the electoral process and whether their use would help to combat electoral fraud.

Electoral Fraud

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the level of electoral fraud in Northern Ireland; and what measures are being taken to reduce it.

Des Browne: Following the 7 June elections, an independent research company was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Office to investigate all aspects of elections in Northern Ireland. The research findings were placed in the Library of the House on 16 October 2001.
	The measures contained in the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Bill will tackle electoral abuse in Northern Ireland effectively without disadvantaging honest voters.

Police Recruitment and Retention

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on police recruitment and retention.

Jane Kennedy: Two recruitment competitions have now been launched for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which together have attracted over 12,000 applicants, of whom over 36 per cent. were Catholic. Recruitment competitions to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which were held on an approximately annual basis attracted on average 3,000 applicants; the highest proportion of Catholic applicants in any single competition was 22.3 per cent.
	During the period January to December 2000, 208 Regular and 166 Full-Time Reserve officers left the RUC under natural wastage.
	The voluntary severance came into operation in January 2001 and in the period January to December 2001, a total of 1,069 Regular officers and 129 Full-Time Reserve officers left under the terms of the scheme. In the same period, a further 149 Regular and 166 Full-Time Reserve officers left under natural wastage.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve will receive priority in applying for full-time employment in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: All those who apply to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland are required to achieve a fixed standard of merit when tested in nine separate policing competencies. Candidates are thereafter selected on a 50 per cent. Catholic, 50 per cent. non-Catholic basis. No priority is given to members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve or any other police service.

Saville Inquiry

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to date is of the Saville inquiry.

Jane Kennedy: The cost of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry to the Northern Ireland Office, as at 7 January 2002, is £52 million. This does not include costs to other Departments such as the Ministry of Defence.

Terrorist Crime

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to tackle the financing of terrorist crime in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: The Government's strategy for tackling terrorist crime in Northern Ireland is two-fold. First, the police must have available to them robust legislative powers. The Terrorism Act 2000 contains a number of financial provisions for seeking information and restraining assets. These powers were supplemented by the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, passed in the wake of the events on 11 September.
	Second, in September 2000, the Government established an Organised Crime Taskforce for Northern Ireland. The taskforce brings together the agencies operating in Northern Ireland to agree crime types for concerted multi-agency action. The taskforce has published an assessment of the threat to Northern Ireland society from serious and organised crime, which assesses that approximately half of the organised crime gangs in Northern Ireland have links with the paramilitaries.

Real IRA

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the sources of (a) political and (b) financial support for the Real IRA.

Jane Kennedy: A clear distinction needs to be made between the expression of political attitudes, opinions and beliefs and the actual commission or instigation of terrorist crime. The Real IRA remains a proscribed organisation. The Government believe that the Real IRA and the 32 County Sovereignty Movement are inextricably linked. However, on the basis of the evidence currently available, the Government assess that the 32 County Sovereignty Movement is not concerned in terrorism.
	Any assessment of the financial support for the Real IRA would inevitably rely on intelligence. It is the Government's policy not to comment on such matters.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bangladesh

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh regarding the policy towards people trafficking.

Ben Bradshaw: On 3 December 2001, our high commissioner in Dhaka encouraged the Bangladeshi Home Minister to pursue Bangladeshi signature of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and its associated protocols on human trafficking and people smuggling. We raise wider human rights concerns with the Bangladesh authorities on a regular basis. When Home Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed human rights with the then Bangladeshi Home Minister during a visit to Dhaka in September 2000.

British Deaths Abroad

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been murdered abroad in each year since 1995; in which countries; and in how many cases the perpetrator has been brought to justice.

Ben Bradshaw: The table gives details of where and how many British nationals were murdered overseas since 1996 when we started collating this data. The cost of producing the information requested about the number of perpetrators brought to justice would be disproportionate.
	
		Murders of British nationals overseas: 1996–2001
		
			 Country 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000(2) 
		
		
			 Angola 1 — 3 1 — — 
			 Antigua and Barbuda — 1 1 — 1 — 
			 Argentina — — — — 1 — 
			 Australia 5 3 2 1 — — 
			 Austria 1 — — — — 1 
			 Bahamas — 2 1 — — — 
			 Bahrain — 1 — — — — 
			 Bangladesh 1 — — — 2 — 
			 Belgium 2 — — — — — 
			 Belize 1 — 1 — 1 — 
			 Botswana 1 — — — — — 
			 Brazil 1 — — — — — 
			 Cambodia 1 — — — — — 
			 Canada — 1 — 1 1 — 
			 China 1 1 1 — — — 
			 Colombia — — 3 — — — 
			 Comoros 7 — — — — — 
			 Congo — 1 — — — — 
			 Cyprus — — — — 2 — 
			 Czech Republic — 1 — — — 1 
			 Denmark 1 — — — 1 — 
			 Egypt — 7 — — — — 
			 France 1 1 1 4 1 3 
			 Germany 1 — — 2 2 1 
			 Gibraltar 1 — — — — — 
			 Greece 1 — 3 — — — 
			 Guatemala — 1 — — — — 
			 Guyana 1 — — — — — 
			 Honduras 1 — — — — — 
			 India 2 1 1 1 2 2 
			 Indonesia — — 1 — — — 
			 Iraq — 1 — — — — 
			 Israel — 1 — — — — 
			 Italy — — 1 — 1 1 
			 Jamaica 1 — 2 2 3 2 
			 Kazakhstan — — — — — 1 
			 Kenya 2 — 3 — — 2 
			 Kuwait — 1 — — — — 
			 Madagascar — — — 1 — — 
			 Malawi — 1 — — — — 
			 Malaysia — — 1 1 — — 
			 Mexico — 2 1 — — — 
			 Mongolia — 1 — — — — 
			 Mozambique — 2 — — — — 
			 Nepal — — — — 1 — 
			 Netherlands 1 3 2 — 1 1 
			 New Zealand — — — 1 — — 
			 Nigeria — — 1 1 — 2 
			 Pakistan 1 1 1 9 — — 
			 Panama — — — 1 — — 
			 Papua New Guinea 1 — — — — — 
			 Philippines 2 1 — 3 1 — 
			 Poland 1 — — — — — 
			 Portugal — 1 — — — — 
			 Russia 1 — 3 1 1 — 
			 Rwanda — 1 — — — — 
			 Saudi Arabia — — — — 1 — 
			 Somalia — — — 1 — — 
			 South Africa 8 8 3 3 8 4 
			 Spain 4 2 1 4 7 6 
			 Sweden 1 — — — — — 
			 Tajikistan — — — 1 — — 
			 Tanzania — — 1 1 — — 
			 Thailand 2 1 2 1 3 — 
			 Togo 1 — — — — — 
			 Turkey — — 2 1 2 1 
			 Uganda — — — 4 — — 
			 Ukraine — — — 1 — — 
			 USA 7 2 8 7 5 (3)67 
			 Uzbekistan — — — — — 1 
			 Vietnam 1 — — — — — 
			 Yemen — — 3 — — — 
			 Zambia — — — 1 1 — 
			 Zimbabwe — — 1 1 2 — 
			 Total 65 50 54 56 51 (2)96 
		
	
	(2) Final figures for 2001 for all countries are still in the process of being collated. This figure may therefore increase.
	(3) This figure includes those British passport holders who were killed/reported "missing presumed dead" as a result of the terrorist attacks in the USA on 11 September.

British Deaths Abroad

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protocols are in place to help relations of British citizens killed abroad; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The FCO does all it can to help the families of British nationals murdered overseas. There are no specific protocols—the needs of each family are different. We also give families leaflets published by the FCO on "Victims of Crime Abroad" and "Death Overseas" and put them in touch with relevant agencies in the UK who may be able to help them.

Terrorism (Subcontinent)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received linking the Lashkar-e-Toiba group to the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament building on 13 December.

Jack Straw: The Indian Government have made public information which points to the involvement of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in the attack on the Indian Parliament. As Home Secretary, I proscribed both these groups in February 2001 because of their clear involvement in terrorist activities.

Colombia

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in raising concerns about the situation in Barrancabermeja, and Magdalena Medio with the Colombian Government.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 921W.

British Prisoners Overseas

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals, domiciled in Scotland, are held in prison in foreign countries, broken down by (a) country of imprisonment, (b) gender of prisoner and (c) nature of the offence.

Ben Bradshaw: Figures for the numbers of British nationals in prison overseas are compiled quarterly. These were last compiled as at 1 November 2001, when there were 3,485 British nationals in prison overseas. The next quarterly figures will be available at the end of January 2002.
	We do not routinely compile data on UK prisoners overseas' according to their domicile in the UK or by gender, nor by nature of offence. Gathering the requested data in this format would incur disproportionate costs.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last spoke to the President of Botswana concerning the situation in Zimbabwe.

Jack Straw: My noble Friend, Baroness Amos, discussed Zimbabwe with President Mogae on 10 January. I discussed the situation in Zimbabwe with the Botswana Foreign Minister, Mompati Merafhe, on 20 December 2001.

Zimbabwe

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the number of Zimbabwean residents who are planning to leave that country for refuge in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: We cannot be certain how many Zimbabwean residents may wish to seek refuge in the UK. As at 14 January 2002, there were 25,054 British nationals registered with the British high commission in Zimbabwe. There is no requirement for British nationals to inform our high commission if they plan to leave Zimbabwe, when they actually leave, or their destination.

Kashmir

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy objectives are in respect of Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We are very concerned over the current tensions between India and Pakistan. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken frequently to his Indian and Pakistani counterparts in recent weeks, and has secured close co-operation between international partners. We continue to press India and Pakistan to resolve the issues between them through dialogue.

EU Events

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for January and also the major European Union events for the period between 31 January and June 2002.

Peter Hain: Following is the information:
	January
	10—Brussels—Fisheries Council
	17—Brussels—Budget Council (evening)
	21—Brussels—Eurogroup (evening)
	21–22—Brussels—Agriculture Council
	22—Brussels—ECOFIN
	25–26—Brussels—Meeting of Employment Ministers (ministerial informal)
	28–29—Brussels—General Affairs Council.
	The following are the principle events in the EU between 1 February and June 2002 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue).
	
		
			 Date Venue Event 
		
		
			 February   
			 6–7 Valladolid Ministerial Seminar on Democracy and Development 
			 9–10 Brussels Gymnich(4) 
			 11 Brussels Eurogroup(5) 
			 14 Brussels Education and Youth Council 
			 14–15 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council(4) 
			 18–19 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 18–19 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 22–23 Brussels Telecoms and Information Society Council(4) 
			 28 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council 
			
			 March   
			 1 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council(5) 
			 1 Brussels Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council 
			 4 Brussels Eurogroup(5) 
			 5 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 7 Brussels Employment and Social Affairs Council 
			 11 Brussels Research Council 
			 11–12 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 15–16 Barcelona European Council 
			 18–19 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 21 Brussels Environment 
			 23–24 Brussels Defence Ministers Meeting(4) 
			 25–26 Brussels Transport and Telecom Council 
			 27–28 Monterrey, Mexico Financing and Development Conference 
			
			 April   
			 5–6 Luxembourg Migrations Council(6) 
			 8 Luxembourg Fisheries Council 
			 13–14 Luxembourg ECOFIN(4) 
			 15–16 Luxembourg General Affairs Council 
			 22–23 Valencia Euromed Conference 
			 22–23 Luxembourg Agriculture Council 
			 25–26 Luxembourg Justice and Home Affairs Council 
			 27–30 Luxembourg Agriculture Council(4) 
			
			 May   
			 3–4 Brussels Tourism Council(4) 
			 6 Brussels Eurogroup(5) 
			 7 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 9 — Europe Day 
			 13 Brussels General Affairs Council with Defence Ministers 
			 17–18 Madrid EU-LAC Summit 
			 21 Brussels Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council 
			 23 Brussels Culture and Audio-visual Council 
			 24–26 Brussels Environment Council(4) 
			 27–28 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 30 Brussels Development Council 
			 30 Brussels Education and Youth Council 
			 31–1 June Brussels Transport Council(4) 
			 June   
			 3 Brussels Employment and Social Affairs Council 
			 3 Brussels Eurogroup(5) 
			 4 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 6–8 Brussels Foreign Affairs Council(7) 
			 6–7 Brussels Industry and Energy Council 
			 10–11 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 10–11 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 11 Brussels Fisheries Council 
			 13–14 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council 
			 17–18 Brussels Transport and Telecom Council 
			 17–18 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 21–22 Seville European Council 
			 24 Brussels General Affairs Council(8) 
			 24–25 Brussels Environment Council 
			 25 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 26 Brussels Health Council 
		
	
	(4) Ministerial informal
	(5) Evening
	(6) ASEM ministerial informal
	(7) ASEM Ministers
	(8) Possible

China

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the question of human rights abuses in Tibet on the occasion of the forthcoming visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister.

Denis MacShane: We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, including Tibet. I take every opportunity to raise these with the Chinese authorities and will seek to do so with the Chinese Foreign Minister.

China

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in (a) Tibet and (b) China.

Denis MacShane: The human rights situation in Tibet shows no signs of improvement. We are concerned in particular about reports of arbitrary detention, torture and the "re-education" of monks and nuns. We raise Tibet with the Chinese authorities at every suitable opportunity.
	The overall human rights situation in China continues to be a matter of serious concern. There has been considerable progress in many aspects, for example in the ability of individual citizens to manage their own lives, engage in business, travel freely and own a home. China has also shown an increased willingness to engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms. But severe restrictions remain on the enjoyment of civil and political rights, especially the freedoms of expression, religion and association.

China

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the reductions in human rights abuses in (a) Tibet and (b) China that have resulted from his policy of (i) constructive and (ii) critical engagement.

Denis MacShane: The dialogue process has enabled us to raise our concerns direct with the Chinese Government at senior level, and to press for change. It has facilitated a programme of projects in China addressing such issues as the rule of law, legal and judicial independence, child rights and human rights awareness.
	The dialogue is aimed at encouraging long-term, fundamental change in China. It has taken place in an increasingly open and frank atmosphere, and has been accompanied by increased co-operation with international human rights mechanisms, including ratification in February 2001 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and a programme of co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

China

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to determine the fate of the Panchen Lama; and what assessment he has made of the authenticity of the recent photo alleged to be of the Panchen Lama.

Denis MacShane: We take every suitable opportunity to press the Chinese authorities to allow access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama) by an independent and respected figure to assess his health and living conditions. It was last raised at the seventh round of the UK/China human rights dialogue held in London last November. The Chinese maintain that the parents of the boy do not want him exposed to international attention.
	We have been unable to authenticate the photo released on the internet last October.

China

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2001, Official Report, column 206W, on China, what the purpose was of the proposed visit of the Chinese delegation to the BBC World Service; when this visit took place; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The visit to the BBC World Service by the Chinese delegation on 21 November 2001 took place in the margins of the seventh round of the biannual UK/China human rights dialogue: one of the themes of this round of the dialogue was "the role of the media". The programme was organised by the BBC.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Botswana

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Botswanian Government regarding the Botswanian Government's plans to withdraw water from the Sanbushaman of the central Kalahari at the end of January.

Clare Short: Our high commissioner to Botswana has discussed issues relating to the San with the Government of Botswana at both ministerial and local authority level. In December 2001, together with two other EU heads of mission, he visited Ghanzi where the district council is responsible for the provision of basic services to the San living in the central Kalahari Game Reserve. The group had discussions with local officials and NGOs involved with the San and visited some San settlements. Our high commission continues to monitor the situation.

Departmental Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will commission and publish an independent report on the reasons for the level of sickness absence in her Department.

Clare Short: The average rate of sickness absence in DFID in 1999 (the latest year for which published figures are currently available) was 7.31 days per staff year. This compares with a civil service-wide average of 10.1 days.
	The Cabinet Office already commissions and publishes an independent annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service". This report includes details of the causes of absenteeism. The report for the year 2000 will be published shortly.

DEFENCE

Military Bases

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental impact assessment he carries out when considering the closure, move or expansion of a military base.

Lewis Moonie: It is the Ministry of Defence's policy to carry out environmental policy appraisals of all new or revised policies and equipment acquisition programmes and environmental impact assessment of all new projects and training activities. The strategic environmental appraisal of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was carried out to examine the potential environmental effects of the programmes and plans therein. High-level environmental assessments were also carried out on the SDR proposals for both the built and rural estate.
	Environmental impact assessments are carried out when considering specific proposals for the closure, move or expansion of a military base. A wide range of factors are also taken into account including location, alternative uses and planning issues, land quality assessment, asset condition, historic buildings, legal constraints and non-MOD facility sharing. The scope of the assessment depends on the potential environmental impact of the proposal. Full Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Environmental Statements are produced for developments that would fall under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations but for Crown exemption, and Appropriate Assessments carried out for developments and activities for sites designated under the Conversation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations.

Cyber Attacks

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the protection of MOD defence computer networks from potential cyber attacks since 11 September.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Manual of Security mandates the baseline security requirements which must be met before Communications and Information Systems (CIS) are allowed to handle official information: these requirements have already been framed with the protection of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) computer networks from potential cyber attacks in mind.
	The MOD is continuously reviewing and seeking ways to improve the security of CIS. Since 11 September, MOD has:
	Instituted a review of all its systems to ensure compliance with security regulations;
	Speeded up the existing programme for deployment of Intrusion Detection Systems on key elements of the CIS infrastructure; and
	Established the Joint Security Co-ordination Centre as a 24-hour focal point for MOD's alert, warning and response capability.

International Security Assistance Force

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-EU troops have been committed to the International Security Assistance Force; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has been authorised by the United Nations, and enjoys wide support among the international community. In addition to the UK, which has agreed to serve as lead nation for the ISAF's initial three months, some 17 countries are contributing assets to the force. The ISAF will be about 5,000 strong, with the UK contributing around 1,800 personnel (together with an additional 300 airfield enablers to assist in activating and running Kabul international airport). Although separate from operations being conducted in support of the campaign against international terrorism, it deploys with the full support of the United States and enjoys very close relationships with US Central Command (which has deployed a liaison team to Major General McColl's headquarters).
	In addition to the substantial contribution being made by European Union nations, ISAF will comprise troops from New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. It is too early to be specific about precise numbers, since national contingents are still being finalised.

International Security Assistance Force

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the nations which have offered to contribute to the International Security Assistance Force; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The international community responded swiftly and generously to our request for contributions to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), with over 20 nations initially expressing an interest in contributing. In the event, following detailed discussions and planning, we have been able to take up offers from 17 nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. 15 of these have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the ISAF, and we expect Belgium and Bulgaria to do so shortly. In addition, the US have provided a liaison team.

Warships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out on HMS Ocean at Devonport Dockyard; if there has been work additional to that set out before its arrival at Devonport; how much the work will cost in total; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Details of the work planned to be undertaken during HMS Ocean's Assisted Maintenance Period (AMP), and the estimated cost, were provided in the answer I gave the hon. Gentleman on 9 November 2001, Official Report, column 433W.
	The opportunity has been taken to undertake some limited additional work during the AMP, although some of the work originally planned will now be undertaken during the reprogrammed Docking Period. The total cost of the AMP will remain within the limits previously stated.

Warships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects HMS Invincible to be surplus to Royal Navy requirements; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 342W, to the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray).

Warships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on (a) the overhaul of HMS Invincible to prepare her for the new Merlin helicopters and (b) other work on HMS Invincible; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The refit of HMS Invincible is expected to cost in the order of £70 million with approximately £9 million of this required to prepare her for Merlin. These figures excluded Ministry supplied equipment, and associated naval staff training and trials costs.

Warships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the work being carried out on HMS Ocean at Devonport Dockyard to be completed; when he expects it to return to service; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: HMS Ocean is currently undergoing an Assisted Maintenance Period (AMP) at Devonport. The AMP is scheduled to complete in early February following which she will be available for operational tasks.

Iraq

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been killed and injured as a result of bombing raids on Iraq since 1991 and what discussions have been held with the UN co-ordinator in Iraq about the documentation and verification of the casualty figures.

Adam Ingram: The coalition only ever targets, in self-defence, Iraqi military facilities that pose a threat to its forces carrying out legitimate patrols of the no-fly zones. The coalition goes to exceptional lengths to ensure civilian casualties are kept to the absolute minimum possible, including the employment of very carefully controlled targeting procedures and precision guided munitions.
	In practice, it is extremely difficult to give estimates of civilian casualties, despite the painstaking battle-damage assessment (BDA) that the coalition routinely carries out every time ordnance is released. The Ministry of Defence has no objective means of verifying Iraqi claims of civilian casualties; I am not therefore in a position to provide the information requested by my hon. Friend. However, we can demonstrate categorically that many of the Iraqi claims of civilian casualties are either exaggerated or wholly untrue.
	On a number of occasions the Iraqis have claimed that coalition aircraft have caused civilian casualties when allied aircraft have not released any munitions, or even been flying. On 19 June 2001, for example, it seems very probable that the civilian casualties, which the Iraqis claimed were caused by coalition activities, were in fact caused by an Iraqi munition. No ordnance was dropped by the coalition on 19 June. There have also been many instances when the Iraqis claimed civilians have been killed, where our BDA has clearly indicated that only military facilities were attacked.
	There have been no discussions with the UN Co-ordinator in Iraq about the documentation or verification of civilian casualties. The UN Co-ordinator in Iraq is responsible for implementing the humanitarian programme under the UN Oil for Food arrangements. He has no role in the no-fly zones.

Iraq

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions during 2001 the UK was involved in missions that involved (a) bombing and (b) firing into Iraq.

Adam Ingram: During 2001, the coalition responded in self-defence against the Iraqi air defence system on 44 occasions. Of these, UK aircraft released precision guided munitions on 14 occasions. In the majority of the remaining 30, UK aircraft provided indirect support to other coalition aircraft but did not release weapons.

Iraq

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of enforcing the no fly zones in Iraq since the war officially ceased.

Adam Ingram: Information is not recorded separately that identifies expenditure incurred in maintaining the no fly zones. However, the table sets out the overall additional expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992–93 onwards.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1992–93 551 
			 1993–94 179 
			 1994–95 58 
			 1995–96 14 
			 1996–97 6 
			 1997–98 16 
			 1998–99 35 
			 1999–2000 28 
			 2000–01 25 
			 2001–02(9) (10)22 
		
	
	(9) Estimate
	(10) Calculated on a Resource Accounting basis; all previous figures are cash-based

Wind Turbines

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of (a) the potential and actual interference of radar by wind turbines and (b) the obstruction that wind turbines represent to low-flying aircraft; how long the assessment has taken; and when the results will be published.

Lewis Moonie: The RAF has carried out two trials, one in 1994 and one in 1997, both of which found that if a wind farm is in direct line of sight to radar it can have an extremely detrimental effect upon radar performance as the rotating blades can be a source of interference. The turbines can appear as genuine aircraft targets that could either mask aircraft responses or desensitise the radar within the sector containing the wind farm. Shadowing of aircraft at similar radar to target elevation angles as the wind farm may degrade radar performance even further which could be potentially hazardous to air traffic and impede an air defence control situation.
	The Ministry of Defence recognised the need for further research and is currently assisting with a DTI sponsored study that is being undertaken by QinetiQ into the effects of turbines on radar systems. This study began in September 2001 and is due to be completed in September 2002.
	Military low flying training takes place within the UK Low Flying System below 2,000 ft for fixed wing aircraft and 500 ft for helicopters. Fixed wing aircraft are permitted to fly down to within a Minimum Separation Distance of 250 ft from the ground or any other obstacle, and helicopters are permitted to fly down to ground level. The presence of wind turbines in most areas of the UK would present no difficulty to low flying aircraft and these and other naturally tall structures are taken into account as part of route planning.
	In some circumstances, the presence or proliferation of wind turbines may pose a hazard to, or interfere with, military low flying training to such an extent that the training value is negated. The height of the turbines is often in excess of 70 m (approximately 220 ft) to turbine tip. Within the Tactical Training Areas aircraft can be flown at 100 ft above ground level, which is significantly lower than the 250 ft minimum that applies to the rest of the UK low flying system. Therefore, for the safety of members of the public and aircrew it is imperative that any hazards to low flying aircraft are minimised, especially those that exceed 100 ft in height.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the SBIRS radomes at RAF Menwith Hill are expected to come on line.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 July 2001, Official Report, column 6W.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the purpose is of the further radome at RAF Menwith Hill for which a planning application has been made.

Adam Ingram: The proposed new antenna and radome at RAF Menwith Hill would update equipment currently in use at the base.

Low Flying

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on the implications for low flying on wind power developments within designated training areas; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence regularly receives queries from the wind energy industry, members of the public and Members of Parliament regarding the siting of wind power developments within the Tactical Training Areas.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 296, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) which states the MOD's policy towards wind turbines in areas where operational low flying takes place.

Expenditure (Dumfries and Galloway)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much MOD expenditure there was in Dumfries and Galloway region; and what his assessment is of the spin-off benefit to the regional economy in the last 12 months.

Lewis Moonie: I regret that data on defence expenditure as a whole are not available by region and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I draw the hon. Member's attention to the recently published document, "Defence Statistics 2001", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Table 1.9 contains data on defence expenditure on equipment by region and nation.

Service Deployment

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces are deployed abroad, giving in each case (a) location, (b) nature of operation, (c) the end date for the deployment and (d) a statement of Government policy on the deployment.

Geoff Hoon: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Nancekuke

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 518W, what was the origin of the substance pralidoxime mesylate which was deposited into the sea off the north Cornish coast when Chemical Defence Establishment Nancekuke was decommissioned.

Lewis Moonie: Pralidoxime mesylate is used to treat individuals who have been exposed to a range of organophosphorous materials, including nerve agents.
	Between the years 1972 and 1997, 54.36 tonnes of pralidoxime mesylate were manufactured on site at CDE Nancekuke. Most of this was supplied to a pharmaceutical company for formulation into standard therapeutic tablets for issue to the services. Any reject or shelf-expired tablets were subsequently returned to Nancekuke for recovery or destruction.

Nancekuke

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records there are of the origin of chemicals used at the chemical defence establishment, Nancekuke.

Lewis Moonie: There are no surviving records which detail the origin of the chemicals used at the chemical defence establishment, nancekuke.
	However, the records of the technical programme undertaken at Nancekuke indicate that many chemical compounds were manufactured on site from chemicals which would have been purchased from commercial suppliers.
	Additionally, it is known that some chemicals were transferred to Nancekuke from the Ministry of Defence facilities at Sutton Oak, which closed in 1953, and the War Department factories which were situated at Randle, Valley and Springfields. Also chemicals, such as CS, would have been transferred to Nancekuke from other military establishments for destruction.

RAF Bases

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints he has received from local residents about (a) low flying, (b) aircraft noise and (c) night flying at (i) RAF Brize Norton and (ii) RAF Lyneham in the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: This information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

RAF Bases

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what penalty would be payable on the cancellation of the Armington Homes 100 year contract for married quarters at RAF Lyneham.

Lewis Moonie: Current Government policy does not envisage repurchasing the properties sold to Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) in 1996 and underleased back to the Ministry of Defence. Properties are initially underleased for 200 years and any that are identified as surplus to service requirements are released to AHL in accordance with the sale agreement.

Afghanistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from his Canadian counterpart regarding the deployment of Canadian troops in Afghanistan; and if Canadian troops will be deployed as a part of the International Security Assistance Force.

Geoff Hoon: We have been in close political, diplomatic and military contact with Canada throughout our operations in Afghanistan. I spoke to my Canadian counterpart on 21 December about the possibility of Canadian troops participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). We were keen for a company of Canadian engineers to participate from the beginning and hoped that these might be augmented by an infantry battalion to replace 2 Battalion the Parachute Regiment in due course. In the event, the Canadian Government have decided not to contribute to the ISAF, but will instead support operations around Kandahar. We welcome Canada's contribution. Canada may wish to participate in the ISAF at a later date.

Afghanistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his (a) NATO, (b) EU and (c) US and (d) Canadian counterparts regarding the deployment of armed forces to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I have been in regular contact with my EU and NATO colleagues concerning the deployment of forces to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role international peacekeepers will have in securing routes for aid convoys and deliveries within Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: The role of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is to help the Afghan Interim Administration provide security and stability only in and around Kabul; it will therefore not be involved in providing security for aid convoys. The responsibility for establishing and maintaining security across all of Afghanistan lies with the Interim Administration.
	Essential to the building of peace and stability and the securing of aid routes is the defeat of the remnants of the al-Qaeda and Taliban. The international coalition against terrorism's operations against these groups, while distinct from the ISAF, will help ensure humanitarian aid is delivered where it is needed in Afghanistan.

Departmental Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission and publish an independent report on the reasons for the level of sickness absence in his Department.

Lewis Moonie: The Cabinet Office already commissions and publishes an independent annual report "Analysis of sickness absence in the Civil Service". This report includes details of the causes of absenteeism. The report for the year 2000 will be published shortly.

RAF Shawbury

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1141W, on RAF Shawbury, if he will make a statement on the success of achieving alternative employment for staff made redundant by FB Heliservices Ltd.

Adam Ingram: As a result of the planned closure of the Wessex helicopter repair line at RAF Shawbury, near Shrewsbury, the contractor, FB Heliservices Ltd. issued formal dismissal notices to 26 staff on 10 January 2002. FBS continue to seek employment for these staff and some may be able to take up alternative posts with the contractor.
	In their pursuit of alternative employment for the staff involved, the company is continuing discussions with the Ministry of Defence about the possibility of transferring work from other locations to Shawbury to alleviate the situation.

Reconnaissance Regiment

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when the reconnaissance regiment will move in to Bovington;
	(2)  what plans he has to base a reconnaissance regiment at Bovington; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when building work will commence at Bovington in pursuit of his proposals to base a reconnaissance regiment there;
	(4)  what the cost is of his proposals to base a reconnaissance regiment at Bovington.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Missile Defence

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will submit requests from the US authorities to use RAF bases for the purpose of national missile defence to the House for prior approval.

Geoff Hoon: President Bush has made it clear that he has not yet decided what sort of missile defence system he will ultimately seek to deploy. We have received no request from the US for the use of sites in the UK for missile defence purposes, and it remains premature to indicate how we would respond to any specific request.

Service Personnel

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel working in the armed forces are married to other persons serving in the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: The total number of service personnel currently recorded as married to other service personnel is 6,270.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Departmental Staff (Benefits)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the number of individuals in (a) her Department, (b) related agencies and (c) related non-departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000 and (ii) £200,000 in each of the last four years.

Patricia Hewitt: The number of individuals whose annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeded either £100,000 or £200,000 in each of the last four years are estimated for (a) the Department and (b) related Agencies in the tables:
	
		
			 As at 1 April (i) More than £100,000 (ii) More than £200,000 
		
		
			 (a)   
			 1998 4 0 
			 1999 4 0 
			 2000 5 0 
			 2001 8 0 
			
			 (b)   
			 1998 0 0 
			 1999 0 0 
			 2000 1 0 
			 2001 1 0 
		
	
	With regard to estimations for related non-departmental public bodies, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 253W.
	Annual remuneration including benefits in kind covers basic salary, allowances and bonuses. It does not include overtime payments or pension contributions.

Euro

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she will take to ensure that retail outlets accepting euro-denominated notes and coins offer customers fair exchange rates.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 11 January 2002
	Consumers should not be misled about additional costs imposed for paying in euros. Consumers are protected by price marking legislation which requires prices to be clear and legible—including exchange rates and any commission charged for using foreign currencies.
	It is a commercial judgment for those retail outlets which accept euro-denominated notes and coins what exchange rate they charge.
	While we recognise that there are some costs involved in handling foreign currencies, retailers who do not offer customers a fair deal should remember that consumers have long memories. Consumers will vote with their feet and the contents of their wallets.

Catering-ware Exports

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what negotiations are under way in the WTO to reduce the tariff on catering-ware exports to the USA; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: On 14 November 2001 at Doha the members of the World Trade Organisation launched a new round of multilateral trade negotiations. This will include negotiations aimed at reducing and where appropriate eliminating tariffs on industrial products. A reduction in the peak US tariffs on catering ware will be a priority for the UK in those negotiations.

Mail Deliveries

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of Christmas post, posted on or before the last posting date announced by Royal Mail, failed to be delivered before Christmas Day.

Douglas Alexander: This is an operational matter for the company subject to the regulatory powers and duties of the Postal Services Commission in respect of service standards.
	I am advised by the company that statistics on quality of service for the Christmas period, when Royal Mail handled around 2.1 million items, will not be published until later this month.

Acquired Rights Directive

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government intend to take action to ensure recompense for those affected by the UK breach of its Community obligations under the 1977 acquired rights directive.

Alan Johnson: The Government have admitted that, until the TUPE Regulations were amended in 1993, the acquired rights directive was not implemented correctly, and that this was a sufficiently serious breach of the UK's EC obligations to give rise to a liability for damages, where anyone suffered losses as a result. The Government are therefore prepared to compensate anyone affected provided that they can show that they suffered loss as a result of that breach. At present, a number of claims have been brought in the courts, but without the cause and amount of the claimed losses having been established.

Sub-post Offices

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to offer payments to sub-postmasters in compensation for giving up the right to offer post office services.

Douglas Alexander: In line with the Performance and Innovation Unit's report, my Department has agreed in principle to support the compensation package, negotiated between Post Office Ltd. and the National Federation of Subpostmasters, for sub-postmasters affected by Post Office Ltd.'s proposed restructuring programme for the urban network. Discussions on the overall funding of the restructuring programme are continuing.

Sub-post Offices

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of sub-post offices which are economically viable.

Douglas Alexander: These matters were addressed in the PIU report in 2000, and in line with its recommendations, the Government are working on a range of measures with Post Office Ltd. and the National Federation of Subpostmasters to modernise and strengthen the viability of the network.

Petroleum Licensing

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) of 20 July 2001, Official Report, columns 609–10W, what decisions she has made on Out-of-Round Offshore Licence awards.

Brian Wilson: I will offer licences to Tuscan Energy (Scotland) Ltd. and Acorn North Sea Ltd. for Block 30/24, which includes the former Argyll, Duncan and Innes fields, and to ATP Oil and Gas (UK) Ltd. and CalEnergy Gas (UK) Ltd. for Part-Blocks 42/25a and 43/21a.
	These awards, in their different ways, are good signs for the future of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. They demonstrate some of the new approaches and working arrangements that PILOT has been pressing for over the past three years.
	Argyll was the UK's first producing offshore field, but it was abandoned as uneconomic back in 1992 when less than 40 per cent. of the oil had been recovered. Tuscan/Acorn now hope to use the latest technology to reopen it and extract more of the oil left behind. Subsequently they should be able to reopen the old Duncan and Innes fields too, both of which were abandoned at the same time as Argyll. Tuscan and Acorn are two small new British companies, taking a fresh and imaginative look at the opportunities in the North sea and introducing a productive new alliance with the North sea's supply chain in the shape of Schlumberger and ABB.
	ATP is one of the new entrants that DTI has been working hard to attract to the UK to bring work to our Fallow Discoveries. Their focused, high-efficiency approach, developed in the Gulf of Mexico, will allow them to develop the 43/21a discovery and other Fallow Discoveries, which others may not see as economic.
	However, I do not intend to allow any of this valuable acreage to run to fallow. Accordingly the licences will be individually tailored to match the companies' plans. Tuscan/Acorn will receive four licences, three of which each cover one of the former fields while the fourth covers the rest of the block. Each licence will expire at an early date if the companies fail to meet their work commitments, so that if necessary each asset will individually be made available for relicensing. ATP's licence also has an early expiry date in the event that it is not progressed by then.

Petroleum Licensing

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what opportunities there are for companies to acquire petroleum licences over unlicensed acreage in the North sea.

Brian Wilson: I am today inviting applications for petroleum licences over a large number of blocks in the southern, central and northern North sea which will form the 20th round of offshore petroleum licensing. The blocks made available for licensing are close to existing petroleum developments and infrastructure.
	This is the first North sea licensing round since blocks were awarded in the 18th round in December 1998. As such, I anticipate that there will be significant demand for licences from companies keen to acquire exploration opportunities in proven petroleum play areas. While there has been a great deal of oil and gas exploration on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) since North sea drilling started in 1964, there are still many geological horizons that have yet to be fully tested. The recent 'Buzzard' discovery is evidence that there is still significant potential for further large discoveries in the North sea.
	In deciding which blocks to make available for licensing, I have considered the results of the Strategic Environmental Assessment covering a large swathe of the North sea undertaken by my Department on which consultation closed in December. After considering the assessment and the responses to the consultation, I have decided to take a precautionary approach and not offer for licence parts of four blocks in the central North sea because of the need to undertake further scientific analysis of a number of 'pock mark' features which were highlighted by the environmental assessment.
	Any licences awarded in the round will contain conditions to protect environmental interests and the interests of other sea users. In addition, activities carried out under the licences will be subject to a range of legislation which is designed to protect the marine environment, including regulations which apply the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats directives to offshore oil and gas activities.
	The licences will also contain provisions to ensure that licensees either undertake exploration work within a relatively short timescale or relinquish the licence at the earliest possible opportunity so that other companies are able to take forward exploration of the area. These requirements support PILOT initiatives to remove barriers to activity on the UKCS.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress with the public service agreement target on the overall international ranking of the science and engineering company base in terms of quality, relevance and cost- efficiency.

Patricia Hewitt: The most recent measurements of the international ranking of the Science and Engineering Base (SEB) in terms of quality, relevance and cost- effectiveness indicate that the UK continues to maintain its position relative to other G7 nations. The details are as follows:
	The quality of the science and engineering base is measured by the UK's world ranking in terms of citations of published papers. Over the period 1981–2000 the UK received a 9.1 per cent. share of the citations in the international Science Citation Index, second only to the US. The UK was second in 'citation shares' for 15 out of 20 scientific fields with the lowest placing being fifth.
	One measure of relevance is the UK's world ranking in terms of the proportion of university research funding from non- governmental sources. For the latest year for which data are available (1997), the UK was again ranked first among the G7 countries.
	Cost-effectiveness is measured by the UK's world ranking in terms of the number of papers published per £1 million of public expenditure on science. In 1990, 1993, 1996 and 1999, the UK was the leading country in the G7. For the latest year (2000) the UK was again ranked first.
	These measures were put in place at the time of the Comprehensive Spending Review and were continued for the period of the 2000 Spending Review (2001–02 to 2003–04).
	While the public service agreement targets described here provide a valuable indication of the strength of the UK science base relative to our competitors, other indications are also available. The results of the latest Research Assessment Exercise were published on 14 December and show that, since 1996 when the last study was carried out, many university research groups have significantly improved their performance.

Departmental Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will commission and publish an independent report on the reasons for the level of sickness absence in her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: The Cabinet Office already commissions and publishes an independent annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service". This report includes details of the causes of absenteeism. The report for the year 2000 will be published shortly.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

London Boroughs (Funding)

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the category and amount of each item of funding outside the revenue support grant which his Department made available to (a) Westminster city council and (b) Kensington and Chelsea in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02.

Sally Keeble: The information requested is, as far as possible, given in the table:
	
		£ million 
		
			 Type of grant 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea   
			 Income from non-domestic rates 47.167 48.566 
			 Housing Investment Programme(11) 16.305 12.855 
			 Housing Revenue Account 20.212 26.195 
			 Neighbourhood Renewal n/a 0.054 
			 Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval 1.521 (12)— 
			 Disabled Facilities Grant 0.090 0.055 
			 Invest to Save 0.225 (13)— 
			
			 London Borough of Westminster   
			 Income from non-domestic rates 61.301 62.783 
			 Housing Investment Programme(11) 25.499 17.107 
			 Housing Revenue Account 31.149 46.109 
			 Neighbourhood Renewal n/a 0.748 
			 ERDF Funding 0.173 (14)0.451 
			 Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval 2.221 (12)— 
			 Estate Action 2.687 3.828 
			 Disabled Facilities Grant 0.114 0.239 
		
	
	(11) Basic Housing ACG
	(12) Now administered by Transport for London
	(13) Figure supplied represents Invest to Save grant available for drawing down during 2000–01 or 2001–02.
	(14) Figure supplied represents payments thus far in 2001–02. Another claim is forecast for March although the grant amount is as yet unknown.

Housing

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many development schemes have been funded by English Partnerships and have secured redevelopment on sites formerly occupied by sub-standard housing in each of the last five years; and at what locations.

Sally Keeble: During the five years to 31 March 2001:
	(a) the CNT (Commission for the New Towns) side of English Partnerships funded no such schemes.
	(b) the URA (Urban Regeneration Agency) side of English Partnerships does not record "sub-standard" housing in the form requested.

Housing

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress being made in (a) house clearance and (b) redevelopment through the Housing Corporation pilot grant scheme.

Sally Keeble: The Housing Corporation's "New Tools" pilot is currently operating in six areas across the north- west and north-east. The pilot programme is investigating housing associations' contribution to the redevelopment of low demand areas.
	Progress on funding the pilot acquisition and demolitions in 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 are as follows:
	
		
			  North-west North-east 
		
		
			 1999–2000 0 £2,107,000 
			  — 130 units cleared 
			 2000–01 £610,000 £156,000 
			  27 units cleared 11 units cleared 
			 2001–02 £820,000 0 
			  to clear 40 units — 
		
	
	The 2002–03 allocation is currently being finalised and will include allocations in three additional pilot areas in Merseyside.
	The programme is being evaluated by the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Birmingham, and the final report is due this summer.

Housing

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many English Partnerships funded projects have involved housing development in the last five years in (a) Telford and (b) the west midlands.

Sally Keeble: During the five years to 31 March 2001:
	(a) the CNT side of English Partnerships spent £12.3 million on site infrastructure in Telford, predominantly to promote housing development. In the same five year period, 125 hectares of land in Telford was sold to the private sector for housing development. In the wider west midlands area, CNT spent around £1 million on site infrastructure, some of which went towards promoting housing development. 7.4 hectares of land was sold for this purpose.
	(b) the URA side of English Partnerships approved no projects in Telford during these five years. In the wider west midlands, 12 projects were approved under the Partnership Investment Programme, committing £16.6 million towards projects facilitating the provision of housing. (Since 1999–2000, such projects were approved in conjunction with Advantage West Midlands).

Housing

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what policy was adopted in publicising and disseminating the consultation document: "Change to the Decent Home Definition"; what agencies other than local authorities were invited to comment; from which of these agencies responses have been received; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: The consultation document was disseminated widely using the usual mechanisms—through placement on the Department's website and through direct mailing. All English and Welsh local authority chief executives and housing directors received copies directly, as did chief executives of Registered Social Landlords with more than 250 units of housing stock. Copies were also sent to a number of national organisations such as umbrella housing organisations and academic organisations. Bodies with a specific interest in energy efficiency issues were alerted to the consultation.
	We received 140 responses to the consultation. The table shows the number of responses received from the different types of organisations:
	
		
			 Organisation Number of responses 
		
		
			 Local authorities 82 
			 Registered Social Landlords 34 
			 Housing Umbrella organisations 8 
			 Building surveyors 4 
			 Energy efficiency organisations 9 
			 Other 3 
			  
			 Total 140 
		
	
	An announcement regarding the outcome of the consultation will be made later this month.

English Partnerships

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total annual budget is for English Partnerships' investment activity; and what proportion is allocated in (a) Telford and (b) the west midlands in the current financial year.

Sally Keeble: In line with all my Department's non-departmental public bodies, English Partnerships is controlled by net expenditure limits in accordance with the principles of resource accounting and budgeting. These are divided into separate limits for the Commission for the New Towns and Urban Regeneration Agency to reflect EP's twin statutory base. In 2001–02, the net Capital Expenditure Limit for the URA is £112.6 million and that for the CNT is -£80.5 million.
	However, in cash terms, EP's total budgeted capital expenditure in 2001–02 is £203 million. Of that, £4.3 million (2 per cent.) is allocated to Telford and £16 million (8 per cent.) to the wider west midlands.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many trains run on the busiest sections of each line of the London Underground during (a) the busiest hour and (b) the busiest quarter hour during weekdays.

John Spellar: holding answer 15 January 2002
	This is an operational matter for London Underground who have provided the information:
	(a) For the busiest hour, I refer the hon. Member to the figures for 2001 in the answer I gave him on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 505W. However, on the Central Line, the new timetable introduced on 13 January 2002 will mean an increase in peak frequencies in the morning peak hour to 30 trains per hour westbound and to 24 trains per hour eastbound.
	(b) The number of trains currently scheduled to run in the busiest quarter hour in the morning peak for each line is set out in the following table.
	
		London Underground—Numbers of trains scheduled in the busiest quarter hour in the morning peak, by line
		
			 Line Number of trains per quarter hour 
		
		
			 Bakerloo (measured at Oxford Circus) Sevenin each direction 
			 Central Line (measured at Liverpool Street) Eight westbound and six eastbound (from 13 October 2002) 
			 District and Circle (measured at South Kensington) Eight in each direction 
			 East London Line (measured at Rotherhithe) Three in each direction 
			 Jubilee (measured at Waterloo) Five westbound and six eastbound 
			 Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle (measured at King's Cross) Eight in each direction 
			 Metropolitan (measured at Finchley Road) Seven in each direction 
			 Northern (measured at Charing Cross) Five in each direction 
			 Northern (measured at Moorgate) Five in each direction 
			 Piccadilly (measured at Hyde Park Corner) Seven in each direction 
			 Victoria (measured at Oxford Circus) Seven in each direction 
			 Waterloo & City (measured at Waterloo) Five in each direction

London Underground

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the latest date is by which he estimates that the modernisation investment programme for London Underground will have begun.

David Jamieson: London Underground is responsible for managing the competition for the contracts to modernise the tube infrastructure. I understand that, subject to bids representing value for money and to consultation with the Mayor and Transport for London, London Underground expects to be able to sign contracts before the end of the financial year. Provided the safety arrangements are accepted by the Health and Safety Executive, the contracts would take effect, and the modernisation programme commence, as soon as possible thereafter.

London Underground

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future funding plans for the London Underground.

John Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 11 May 2001, Official Report, column 379W.

Planning Appeals (Listed Buildings)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he last met the Chief Executive of English Heritage to discuss the planning appeal system involving listed buildings.

Sally Keeble: My right hon. Friend has not met the Chief Executive of English Heritage to discuss this issue.

Driving Tests (West Yorkshire)

Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the (a) number of driving tests taken per year conducted at each centre in west Yorkshire over the last 10 years, (b) pass rates for written and practical tests at each of these test centres in the last three years and (c) waiting time for each practical test at each centre in the last three years.

John Spellar: The number of car and motorcycle practical tests conducted, and the associated pass rates, at test centres in west Yorkshire for each of the last three years are shown in the tables. These data are not available for previous years.
	
		
			   Conducted  Pass rate (percentage)  
			   1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Car   
			 Bradford (Eccleshill) 3,380 3,569 3,444 43.7 44.6 45.0 
			 Bradford (Heaton) 5,736 5,302 5,591 41.8 39.7 39.4 
			 Halifax 3,551 3,144 3,197 47.8 43.2 43.3 
			 Heckmondwike 5,007 5,346 5,248 32.6 31.5 31.6 
			 Huddersfield 5,974 5,536 5,445 35.8 31.9 34.5 
			 Keighley 965 1,812 1,710 50.3 50.2 51.2 
			 Leeds (Horsforth) 5,568 4,785 4,608 37.9 36.1 36.5 
			 Leeds (Harehills) 7,190 7,472 7,599 31.3 28.1 30.4 
			 Wakefield 4,756 4,519 4,142 31.4 32.4 32.5 
			
			 Motorcycle   
			 Bradford (Eccleshill) 616 526 323 58.6 54.0 62.3 
			 Halifax 816 853 772 67.0 64.6 57.2 
			 Leeds (Horsforth) 922 939 842 54.4 49.8 54.6 
		
	
	Note:
	Wakefield has recently become a testing centre for motorcyclists, but there is no data series.
	The number of car and motorcycle theory tests conducted, and the associated pass rates, at test centres in west Yorkshire for the same period are shown in the tables.
	
		
			   Conducted  Pass rate (percentage)  
			   1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Car   
			 Bradford 11,778 11,389 11,585 57.08% 55.12% 56.66% 
			 Huddersfield 5,766 5,947 6,736 61.78% 61.89% 64.39% 
			 Leeds 18,383 17,720 17,072 64.48% 63.92% 65.54% 
			
			 Motorcycle   
			 Bradford 69 75 137 63.73 54.50 75.29 
			 Huddersfield 38 46 131 60.19 65.97 68.34 
			 Leeds 159 174 395 65.06 62.63 67.67 
		
	
	The average waiting times at the practical driving test centres in west Yorkshire for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are shown in the tables. These data are not available for 1998–99.
	
		Waiting time for practical tests -- Weeks
		
			   1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Cars   
			 Bradford (Eccleshill) 5 6.08 
			 Bradford (Heaton) 8.82 5.58 
			 Halifax 2 3.67 
			 Heckmondwike 7 6.33 
			 Huddersfield 4.36 4.25 
			 Keighley 1.82 4 
			 Leeds (Horsforth) 7 6.17 
			 Leeds (Harehills) 6.91 6.75 
			 Wakefield 5.45 4.33 
			
			 Motorcycles   
			 Bradford (Eccleshill) 4.91 2.5 
			 Halifax 2.82 2.5 
			 Leeds (Horsforth) 3.18 2.33 
		
	
	Note:
	Wakefield has recently become a testing centre for motorcyclists, but there is no data series.

Powering Future Vehicles

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will give details of the Government's consultation on "Powering Future Vehicles", referred to on page 124 of the pre-Budget report.

John Spellar: The consultation draft "Powering Future Vehicles" strategy was published on the 3 December. Copies of the consultation were placed in the House Library. Responses to the consultation were invited to be submitted by 1 March.
	The Government will publish the final strategy taking account of the responses received.

West Coast Main Line

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the total Government spending to date on the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line.

John Spellar: The Government have not incurred any expenditure directly on the West Coast Main Line modernisation. However, to date Railtrack has spent around £1.8 billion on the project.

West Coast Main Line

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the projected total Government spending is on the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line.

John Spellar: The scope and options for taking forward the project, if powers are granted under the TWA (Transport and Works Act 1992) Order, are currently being considered with Railtrack, the Strategic Rail Authority, Virgin and the other passenger and freight operators on the route. Until the final outputs are agreed, a meaningful estimate of the full cost of the upgrade cannot be given.

Starter Home Initiative

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assistance is available to key workers who are unable to top up their maximum borrowing potential to an amount sufficient to obtain a mortgage for a property in London under the Starter Home Initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: The Starter Home Initiative will supplement the amount which key workers are able to borrow in order to help them purchase a home. In their bids for SHI funding, scheme managers set out the household incomes they will be targeting for SHI assistance, the range of property prices to be purchased and the amount of SHI funding required. SHI will be provided only to potential purchasers who can demonstrate that they can sustain the long term costs of home ownership. SHI will not benefit those who are unable to raise the other resources necessary for house purchase.

Planning Applications

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement in respect of third-party rights of appeal in relation to planning applications.

Sally Keeble: As indicated in our Planning Green Paper, published on 12 December, a third-party right of appeal against the grant of planning permission could add to the costs and uncertainties of planning, which we could not accept. We believe that the right way forward is to make the planning system more accessible and transparent and to strengthen the opportunities for community involvement throughout this process. Proposals to achieve this were set out in the Green Paper.

Social Landlords

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will bring forward legislation for a register of social landlords to be held and administered by local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: No. The Housing Corporation has a statutory duty, under section 1 of the Housing Act 1996, to maintain a register of social landlords. This is open to inspection at all reasonable times at the head office of the Housing Corporation and is also available on its website http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/index.htm.

M5 Avonmouth Bridge Road

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who approved the employment of the road surfacing contractor in the recently completed road surfacing of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge Road; and what their previous record of experience was with this type of work.

John Spellar: The specialist subcontractor who carried out the surfacing and waterproofing of the Avonmouth Bridge was employed by the main contractor for the strengthening works.
	The main contractor has a contractual responsibility to the Highways Agency for the quality of its works and it is for it to decide which subcontractors are appropriate for the job.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which local authorities are subject to a ceiling in the local government finance settlement; how much money is forgone by each of these authorities; what the average reduction to all local authorities would be if the ceiling had not been introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The table shows the local authorities subject to ceilings, together with the difference between the increase produced by the standard spending assessment formula and the increase payable at the ceiling, for each of these authorities:
	
		£ 
		
			 Local authority Difference 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 33,103 
			 Bexley 145,509 
			 Camden 1,224,637 
			 Enfield 848,239 
			 Hertfordshire 3,333,544 
			 Hillingdon 1,666,837 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 8,596,545 
			 Kingston upon Thames 593,416 
			 Sutton 441,053 
			 Westminster 3,986,471 
			 Derbyshire Police Authority 355,410 
			 South Hams 47,845 
			 South Somerset 134,073 
		
	
	Figures quoted in the table are based on data provided to local authorities on 28 December 2001. These are subject to change, and the final data will be announced with our final settlement proposals in late January or early February.The money raised through the ceiling helps to finance the cost of the floor. The average reduction to each authority is therefore not relevant.

Contract Letting

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which division in his Department is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations to the letting of controls; and what information they hold on contracts let by other divisions in his Department.

Stephen Byers: The Department has within its Commercial Directorate the Procurement Services Division which is responsible for purchasing procedures.
	The Procurement Services Division maintains details of contracts that it has let on behalf of Directorates who do not hold a delegation to award contracts. Other Directorates that have a delegation to award contracts are expected to maintain their own records. There is currently no central record of all contracts let by the Department.

Smoke Alarms

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many council houses in Buckinghamshire have smoke alarms that are (a) mains powered and (b) battery powered; and in the case of battery powered alarms how many are powered by (i) a one-year life replaceable PP3 battery and (ii) a 10-year life sealed unit lithium battery.

Alan Whitehead: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Planning and Transportation Initiatives

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those policy initiatives his Department or its predecessor Departments have made in the field of planning and transportation since 1997 which have affected parish and town councils.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 15 January 2002
	Planning Policy Guidance note 12: Development Plans (1999) states that local authorities should consult parish councils about development plans. Guidance on Full Local Transport Plans (2000) states that local authorities should work closely with parish councils in drawing up and implementing their local transport plans.
	The 2000 Rural White Paper "Our Countryside: the future" announced measures to strengthen the role of town and parish councils, including the establishment of Quality Town and Parish councils, about which we have issued a consultation paper. The Rural White Paper also set out proposals for supporting the preparation of town and village plans, the design and land-use aspects of which can be adopted by the local planning authority as supplementary planning guidance.
	The Planning Green Paper "Planning: delivering a fundamental change", issued in December 2001, proposes that local authorities' existing development plans should be replaced by local development frameworks which would include action plans, principally for areas undergoing change. Action plans may include neighbourhood, village or parish plans.

M5

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the latest forecast of the Highways Agency is of the future congestion levels around junction 25 of the M5 in (a) one year, (b) three years, (c) five years and (d) 10 years; and what plans he has to implement a separate junction on the M5 between junction 24 and junction 25.

John Spellar: holding answer 15 January 2002
	There are no current predictions of future congestion on either the M5 at junction 25 or on the local roads, but the Highways Agency is developing, with Somerset county council, a traffic model for the Taunton area. This will include this junction and the surrounding roads which are the responsibility of the county council. I shall let the hon. Member know when the work is complete.
	There are no current plans for an additional junction on the M5 motorway between junctions 24 and 25 but the London to South Wales and the South West Multi-Modal Study is looking at problems on the main transportation corridors in the study area, including the M5 at Taunton. I cannot speculate on the conclusions of the study, which is due to report in the spring.

M5

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason a TR110 statutory notice has been served on Taunton Deane borough council by the Highways Agency in connection with a planning proposal near junction 26 of the M5.

John Spellar: holding answer 15 January 2002
	A direction, under Article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, was served by the Highways Agency on Taunton Deane borough council to allow the agency time to assess the traffic impact on junction 26 of the M5 of a proposal to erect industrial units on land adjoining Chelston Business Park.
	The direction was withdrawn on 3 January this year after the developers had demonstrated that the proposal would not adversely affect the junction.

External Advisers and Consultants

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the budget of his Department is for the current financial year for the use of external advisers and consultants.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 15 January 2002
	Expenditure on external advisers and consultants is monitored at a local level. The Department does not have a single budget for this type of expenditure.

Village Shops

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from Tandridge district council concerning the Department's Consultation Paper on Changes to the Designation of Rural Areas for purposes of the Village Shop Rate Relief Scheme; and what response his Department has made.

Alan Whitehead: Tandridge district council responded to the consultation paper on 29 November 2001 expressing concern that three rural settlements in their area would lose their designated status if what was proposed was implemented. A significant number of other local authorities expressed similar concerns about settlements in their areas.
	We had proposed that the current designations based on listed parishes be replaced by one based on maps. But in response to the concerns expressed by councils in their reply to the consultation paper, we have maintained the existing designations in addition to the new maps, to ensure that all areas previously designated continue to be so, while we review the reasons for the discrepancies between the previous list and the new maps. Officials have discussed Tandridge's concerns with the council. All councils were informed of our decision to have a dual system in response to consultation in our business rates information letter 13/2001 of 10 December.

Roads (South-East)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if she will set out traffic levels on (a) British roads, (b) roads within the Government office for the south east region and (b) roads within East Sussex for each year from 1997 taking the 1997 levels as 100.

John Spellar: The available road traffic figures are shown in the table. Estimates prior to 1999 are on a different basis from more recent data.
	
		Road traffic -- Billion vehicle kilometres
		
			  Great Britain GOSE region East Sussex(15) 
		
		
			 1997 452.5 — — 
			 1998 459.2 79.9 — 
			 1999 467.0 82.1 — 
			 1999 466.0 82.6 2.62 
			 2000 467.7 83.3 2.58 
		
	
	(15) Major roads only

Local Councils

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to make local councils more autonomous.

Alan Whitehead: The Government set out our new vision for local government in the recently published White Paper, "Strong Local Leadership-Quality Public Services." It contains a range of proposals to give local councils greater freedom to enable them to innovate and respond to the needs of their communities.

M6/M74

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the M6 motorway extension to the M74 will be completed.

John Spellar: Proposals to upgrade the A74 to motorway standard between Carlisle and Guardsmill were added to the Government's targeted programme of improvements in March 2000.
	Following the completion of surveys and economic and environmental assessments, the public were consulted last autumn on the options and we hope to announce a preferred route this spring. Progress thereafter will depend on how swiftly we can complete the necessary statutory procedures. The aim is to complete the scheme within the next five to six years, although we will better that if we can.

Local Strategic Plans

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance the Government office for the south-east has given to county councils concerning their (a) participation in and (b) initiation of local strategic plans.

Alan Whitehead: National Guidance to local authorities on preparing community strategies under the Local Government Act 2000 was issued in December 2000. No additional Guidance has been issued by the Government office for the south-east but GOSE has been involved in discussions with individual local authorities on the setting up of community strategies. For example, GOSE attended a meeting with Hampshire county council to discuss how the county intended to take forward a county-wide local strategic partnership and a county-wide community strategy.
	In respect of plans prepared by local planning authorities under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, no specific guidance has been given by GOSE to county councils concerning their participation in or initiation of local plans. In addition, guidance has been published by central Government on local transport plans which are prepared by highways authorities under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000, but no separate advice has been issued by GOSE.

Train Services (Punctuality)

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will continue publication of monthly train punctuality figures.

John Spellar: Train operating companies will continue to publish four-weekly Passenger's Charter performance statistics.

Air Travellers (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the need for an inquiry into air travellers' thrombosis with specific reference to the death of Alayne Wake during a return flight from Singapore on 20 December 2001.

John Spellar: The Government are aware of the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Alayne Wake and agree that there is a need to investigate the incidence, extent and causation of deep vein thrombosis among air travellers. The Government are planning to participate in the study being set up by the World Health Organisation that will cover these issues, which also will consider interventions that reduce the risk of a DVT.

Air Travellers (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will set up an inquiry into the incidence, extent and causation of deep vein thrombosis among air travellers.

John Spellar: The Government are planning to participate in a study of the incidence, extent and causation of deep vein thrombosis among air travellers currently being set up by the World Health Organisation. The Government therefore see no need to set up a separate inquiry.

Government Grants (Rochford)

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he advised Rochford council that its grants were to be increased by 5.5 per cent.; and what is the actual percentage increase.

Alan Whitehead: The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement data for 2002–03 were notified to all local authorities on 4 December 2001. Revised information, to take account of basic credit approvals, which were issued on 13 December, and updates to some supplementary credit approvals, final council tax base figures, revised Learning and Skills Council allocations and updated domestic visitor nights, was issued on 28 December.
	The final data will be notified to local authorities immediately after the draft Local Government Finance report has been laid in the House for debate. This is expected to be around the same time as last year, that is late January or early February.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the allocations to local authorities for disabled facilities grants in 2002–03.

Sally Keeble: My Department is today announcing an £88 million programme of support for the payment of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), by local authorities in 2002–03. This programme pays for 60 per cent. of all DFG expenditure with the remainder being found from the local authorities' own resources. We will shortly be writing to each local authority in England to inform them of their allocation.
	I have today placed tables showing the DFG allocation nationally, regionally and for each local authority in the House of Commons Library.

Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the allocation of housing revenue account subsidy for housing authorities in England for 2002–03.

Sally Keeble: Further to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) on 26 November 2001, Official Report, columns 621–22W, I can confirm that, in the light of responses received to consultation, we decided to confirm our proposals for Housing Revenue Account subsidy for 2002–03, subject to incorporating later data where necessary. The HRA subsidy and Item 8 determinations were issued to authorities on 21 December. Copies of the determinations and supporting material were placed in the Library of the House, and are available on my Department's website.

Railtrack

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate has been made of the total amount owed to (a) creditors and (b) the Government by Railtrack plc on (i) 7 October and (ii) 7 December; and what the projected figures are to the end of March 2002.

John Spellar: This is a matter for the administrator.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 496W, if the reference to Railtrack being unable to meet its debt liabilities refers to debt due to be raised under its business plan.

John Spellar: No.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

South East Arts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the policy is of South East Arts for making grants to small theatre companies promoting greater understanding of Shakespeare for young people.

Kim Howells: holding answer 10 January 2002
	South East Arts funds a wide range of theatre projects involving young people through its open application grants schemes. All applications are assessed against published criteria which include a clear commitment to education and promoting greater access to and involvement in the arts.

South East Arts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the grants of £50,000 or less paid out by South East Arts to organisations in the South East in (a) 2001 and (b) 2000.

Kim Howells: holding answer 10 January 2002
	Information supplied by South East Arts for the financial years to 31 March 2000 and 2001 will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Anthem

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to encourage the British Broadcasting Corporation to reinstate the playing of the National Anthem at the end of the day.

Kim Howells: It is not the role of Government to intervene in detailed issues of programme content and scheduling. The BBC's governing instruments, the Royal Charter and Agreement, place broad obligations on the corporation in respect of the number of its television and radio services and objectives. Within this framework, detailed decisions on programming and scheduling are a matter for the BBC, reflecting its editorial independence.

Libraries

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Heritage Lottery Fund's policy is on (a) funding retrospective conversion projects and (b) providing information on and increasing access to British cultural heritage in UK libraries.

Kim Howells: The Heritage Lottery Fund's policy is that (a) where a project involves conversion of information about collections into electronic forms, the Fund expects applicants to address the conversion of catalogues and other finding aids before digital imaging of collections and (b) to support documentary heritage projects from libraries of historical importance which run programmes of public benefit, and to support projects to widen access to collections, particularly those of non- national institutions. There is a separate policy for support of library and archive acquisitions; the Heritage Lottery Fund does not fund public lending library services.

ENSEMBLE

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason funding for the ENSEMBLE retrospective conversion bid has been made dependent on the development of the BiP web interface.

Kim Howells: The ENSEMBLE bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a programme of retrospective conversion of holdings of printed music to electronic format has been withdrawn on advice from HLF. HLF has decided to put off further decisions on bids from the Consortium of University Research Libraries (CURL), of which ENSEMBLE is a sub-set, until the educational objectives for the website have been achieved through the Britain in Print project. The proposed website will be the foundation for delivering future CURL projects to the public. The decision rests with the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, which administers the HLF, as Ministers do not intervene in Lottery applications.

Channel 5

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to extend the Channel 5 signal to all parts of the UK.

Kim Howells: Channel 5 services are available on all television platforms: terrestrial, satellite and cable. I do not expect the availability of analogue terrestrial Channel 5 services to be increased because the priority is to use available spectrum for developing digital terrestrial television (DTT). As part of the Digital TV Action Plan, Government and industry are considering the extension of DTT coverage. We commenced a three-month consultation on 11 December, inviting views on the basis on which we should plan the use of spectrum for DTT, including the level of coverage required for public service broadcasting and for pay-TV services.

Analogue Switch-Off

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the proposed date is for the total analogue switch off.

Kim Howells: The Government are committed to ensuring that terrestrial analogue broadcasting signals are maintained until: everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form can receive them on digital systems; switching to digital is an affordable option for the vast majority of people; as a target indicator of affordability, 95 per cent. of consumers have access to digital equipment. Our target is to complete digital switchover by 2010.

Television Licences

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria sheltered housing complexes must meet to be exempt from payment of a television licence.

Kim Howells: No sheltered housing schemes are exempt from payment of the television licence fee. However, under the Accommodation for Residential Care concessionary licence scheme, a special licence, at a fee of £5 per unit of accommodation, is available for residents in sheltered housing schemes which:
	(a) form part of a group of at least four dwellings within a common and exclusive boundary (though up to 25 per cent. of units in a scheme can be properties purchased under the 'right to buy' legislation);
	(b) are provided for occupation by disabled persons, mentally disordered persons or retired persons aged 60 years or more;
	(c) are provided or managed by a local authority, a housing association or a development corporation; and
	(d) have a person (for example a warden) whose function is to care for the needs of the residents and who either lives on site or works there for at least 30 hours a week.

Television Licences

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in Angus (a) pay the full television licence, (b) pay a reduced licence fee and (c) receive a free television licence.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers for the BBC as Licensing Authority the concessionary arrangements, including the free licence scheme for the over-75s, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that, out of approximately 76,000 people living in the Angus constituency, about 5,700 were aged 75 or over.

Television Licences

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in the Uxbridge constituency (a) pay for a television licence and (b) receive a free licence.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers for the BBC as Licensing Authority the free television licence concession for the over-75s, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that, out of approximately 76,100 people living in the Uxbridge constituency, about 4,800 were aged 75 or over.

Television Licences

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many residents of the London borough of Havering are in receipt of free television licences.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers for the BBC as Licensing Authority the free television licence concession for the over-75s, is not able to provide details of the number of free licences issued by local authority area. However, 1991 Census figures indicate that there were approximately 14,200 residents of the London borough of Havering aged 75 years or over.

Television Licences

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in Chesham and Amersham (a) pay a television licence and (b) receive a free licence.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers for the BBC as Licensing Authority the free television licence concession for the over-75s, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that, out of approximately 88,900 people living in the Chesham and Amersham constituency, about 5,900 were aged 75 or over.

Television Licences

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in south Tyneside (a) pay for a television licence and (b) receive a free licence.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers for the BBC as Licensing Authority the free television licence concession for the over-75s, is not able to provide details of the number of licences issued by local authority area. However, 1991 Census figures record 64,173 households in the metropolitan borough of south Tyneside, of which 8,199 included a person aged 75 years or over.

Children's Hospices

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what level of funding was given to each children's hospice in the last year by the New Opportunities Fund.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of 6 November 2001, Official Report, columns 170–71W. We expect the first New Opportunities Fund awards for palliative care for children to be made in spring of this year.

Gambling

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to implement the recommendations of the committee headed by Sir Alan Budd on gambling.

Richard Caborn: We published the report of the independent Gambling Review Body in July last year. We are now considering all the comments which we have received on it since then, and we will announce our conclusions within the next few months. I cannot at this stage forecast an implementation timetable.

Lottery Grants

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what her Department is doing to ensure a more equitable regional distribution of Lottery grants;
	(2)  what her Department is doing to encourage applications for Lottery grants from economically deprived areas;
	(3)  what action her Department will take to improve Lottery funding allocations in constituencies, in the bottom 25 constituencies in terms of value of awards.

Richard Caborn: The Government were keen to see all areas receive a fair share of funding. Reforms introduced under the National Lottery Act 1998, the revised policy directions issued to Lottery distributors in the same year, and targeted programmes introduced by distributors are designed to reduce disparities between the regions and there has been some improvement.
	We recognise, however, that there is still more to be done and that is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 27 June 2001 a new £150 million initiative to target funds at some 50 areas which are both deprived and have received less Lottery funding than other parts of the country. The scheme, which is UK wide, will begin later this year.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter of 19 October 2001 from the hon. Member for Totnes enclosing one from Mrs. Christine Ashworth of Rattery, South Devon, which was acknowledged by her Parliamentary Correspondence Unit on 1 November 2001.

Kim Howells: I replied to the hon. Gentleman on 16 January 2002.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Prison Escapes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the Public Service Agreement target for low level escapes from prison and Prison Service escorts.

Beverley Hughes: The Public Service Agreement target on escapes was published in "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability". The target was to maintain existing performance of no escapes by high risk (category A) prisoners; and the overall rate of escapes from prison to be no higher than 0.17 per cent. of average prison population; and to establish a baseline for the rate of escapes from prison escorts and set a target for contracted-out escorts by April 1999.
	Performance on escapes from prison and Prison Service escorts for the period 1999–02 is listed in the table.
	
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 (16)2001–02 
		
		
			 Escapes from prisons and Prison Service escorts expressed as a proportion of the average population (percentage) 0.06 0.03 0.02 
			 Number of escapes from prisons and Prison Service escorts 38 19 14 
		
	
	(16) Performance for the year 2001–02 is for the period April 2001 to October 2001. These data are provisional and subject to change.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued to date.

John Denham: holding answer 15 January 2002
	A recent review of the total number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued up until the end of September 2001 (latest available) was 466. Further work is being undertaken to rectify the under-reporting that has occurred based on the results from magistrates courts committees.

Child Curfew Orders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been issued to date; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 15 January 2002
	No applications have been received to impose child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Sections 48 and 49 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which took effect on 1 August 2001, extended the upper age limit to 15 and allowed the police, as well as local authorities, to initiate schemes. Local areas are assessing the implications of these changes.

Unenforced Deportation Orders

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the number of persons resident in the United Kingdom who are the subject of an unenforced deportation order; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 15 January 2002
	I regret that there is no estimate of the number of persons resident in the United Kingdom who are the subject of an unenforced deportation order. This is because it is not possible to determine the number of persons who leave voluntarily without informing the Home Office of their departure.

Prison Education

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of funding for prison education is provided from (a) Department for Education and Skills budgets and (b) Home Office budgets; what proportion of funding (i) goes directly to prisons from Government Departments and (ii) goes to prisons from the Prison Service; what proportion of funding is ring-fenced; what plans he has to change arrangements for prison education funding further; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 15 January 2002
	Prison education funding is now entirely ring-fenced and administered jointly by the Home Office and Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Resources are transferred from DfES to the Prison Service via the Home Office, or in the case of juvenile establishments via the Youth Justice Board. Once transferred, the budget cannot be spent on other services. However, governors may direct resources for other activities towards education at their own discretion.
	The Prisoners' Learning and Skills Unit based in DfES will be conducting a review of the funding, delivery and procurement arrangements for prison education with a view to ensuring more equitable funding arrangements across the estate.

Prison Education

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in the last year for which figures are available were studying Open university courses; and how many and what proportion of those prisoners were studying level 1 Open university courses.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 15 January 2002
	The main thrust of education in prisons is to provide opportunities for offenders to attain a range of nationally recognised qualifications up to level 2, which will enhance their employability on release. The Prison Service supports provision which is also made for those with higher levels of ability, for example through distance learning and Open university.
	However, information on take-up of Open university courses by prisoners is not held centrally.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 27 November 2001 from the hon. Member for Walsall, North regarding a constituent, Ref: 2123411.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 15 January 2002
	A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 16 January 2002. I am sorry I was not able to reply sooner.

Asylum Seekers

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of asylum seekers from Zimbabwe since 1 January 2000 (a) have been granted asylum, (b) have been deported and (c) are awaiting determination of their case.

Angela Eagle: The number of Zimbabwean nationals who have applied for asylum since January 2000 and have subsequently been granted asylum or removed is not readily available, and could be obtained only by examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
	There were 2,235 applications for asylum from Zimbabwe nationals from 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2001, inclusive. The number of asylum and Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR) grants made in the same period is shown in the table. However these initial decisions do not all relate to applications made in the same period. A proportion of applications which received an initial refusal result in an appeal being lodged.
	
		Initial decisions(17),(18),(19) January 2000-September 2001, nationals of Zimbabwe
		
			   Number Percentage of decisions(20) 
		
		
			 Total initial decisions 2,035 — 
			 Of which considered under normal procedures:   
			 Granted asylum 85 4 
			 Granted ELR 40 2 
			 Refused 1,865 94 
			  Of which considered under Backlog Clearance Exercise(21): 
			 Granted asylum or ELR under backlog criteria 35 89 
			 Refused under backlog criteria 5 11 
		
	
	(17) Levels rounded to the nearest five, and are provisional. Excludes dependants.
	(18) Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(19) Decisions figures do not necessarily relate to applications received in this period.
	(20) Percentages for cases considered under normal procedures and those within the backlog clearance exercise are calculated separately.
	(21) Cases decided under measures aimed at reducing the pre-1996 asylum application backlog.
	Comparable information on the numbers of Zimbabwean asylum seekers removed over the same period is not available.
	The number of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum since 1 January 2000 and are currently awaiting an initial decision on their asylum application, and the number awaiting the outcome of appeal determinations, is not available, and would be available only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and removals are published quarterly. The next publication will be available from 28 February 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans are in place for accommodating future refugees from Zimbabwe.

Angela Eagle: Although an influx of individuals seeking asylum from Zimbabwe is not expected, contingency arrangements exist for responding to such a situation should it occur. These arrangements are being updated as necessary by the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate in liaison with relevant organisations.

Asylum and Immigration Policy

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that country assessments in relation to asylum and immigration policy are undertaken by an independent body; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The country assessments are compiled from a wide variety of sources, including reports from media and non-governmental agencies, and advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, its high commissions and embassies. All the source material is cited throughout, and the vast majority is readily available in the public domain.
	We have commissioned an evaluation of the contents and accessibility of country information in the asylum process. This work includes an assessment of whether the information provided by the Country Information and Policy Unit, including the country assessments, meets the needs of users. The finalised report will provide systematic, additional evidence on which to base decisions whether any further mechanisms might prove useful.

Firearm Officers (Suspension)

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearm officers serving in police forces in England and Wales were suspended from duty in 2000; and what was the average length of time from suspension to re-instatement or discharge.

John Denham: This information is not held centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Immigration Detainees

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he expects to meet his target that no immigration detainees will be held in prisons by the end of January 2000.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Martin Linton) on 14 January 2002, Official Report, column 97W.

Parliamentary Questions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will provide substantive answers to questions 14618, 14619 and 14622 following his holding answers on 14 November 2001.

John Denham: I replied to the hon. Member on 15 January 2002, Official Report, column 178W.

Young Offenders

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the numbers of children aged 10 to 16 years in young offender institutions and secure units.

Beverley Hughes: The Government believe that juveniles should be sent to custody only as a last resort. That is why we have greatly strengthened and expanded the range of non-custodial sentencing options available to the courts. These include the Reparation Order, the Action Plan Order, the Parenting Order, the Supervision Order, and Curfew Orders with electronic monitoring for 10 to 15-year-olds.
	In July last year the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales launched the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP). This £45 million scheme provides courts with a robust alternative for 2,500 persistent juvenile offenders who would otherwise face a custodial sentence or remand. ISSP brings together intensive supervision with unprecedented levels of surveillance, aimed at protecting the community while tackling offending behaviour. Each juvenile has an individually tailored package of reparation, training and education measures and courses to tackle specific issues such as drug addiction or anger management, and may be electronically tagged or, in some cases, voice verified, as part of the intensive surveillance.
	For some young people the seriousness and/or persistence of their offending may mean that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate response. We are therefore working with the Youth Justice Board to help ensure that custodial penalties are served in facilities which provide a positive and constructive regime focused on preventing re-offending.

People Trafficking

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the agencies (a) in the UK and (b) abroad involved in the interception and prosecution of people who traffic in human beings.

Bob Ainsworth: People trafficking is recognised worldwide as a heinous crime which requires concerted national, European and international effort. Project Reflex is the multi-agency response to organised immigration crime, including people trafficking. Led by the National Crime Squad, Reflex brings together all the key agencies involved in the interception and prosecution of people who traffic in human beings into the United Kingdom. The main agencies are the Immigration Service, the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the security and intelligence agencies, Europol, Customs and Excise and key police forces including the Metropolitan police, Kent and the British Transport police.
	Under Reflex, the United Kingdom has co-operated with law enforcement agencies in several other European Union member states and countries further afield, such as the Balkans, Hong Kong and Australia, to intercept and prosecute traffickers. The UK law enforcement agencies have also worked with Europol on its Organised Crime Situation Report which makes reference to the problem of people trafficking across Europe.
	We have established an international network of Immigration Liaison Officers (ILOs) in the key countries through which the traffickers transit en-route to the United Kingdom. Their purpose is to encourage and support action to disrupt the activities of criminal gangs and develop a joint intelligence structure.

People Trafficking

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what relationship his Department has with Interpol; and what discussions have taken place in the past three months about the trafficking of human beings.

Bob Ainsworth: The Home Office's relationship with the International Criminal Police Organisation—Interpol—is primarily through the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), which is home to the London bureau of Interpol. Interpol has its headquarters in Lyon, France and has 179 member countries, each with a bureau in the capital city. The London bureau is one of the world's busiest with approximately 65 staff handling over 12,000 new cases each year. NCIS Director General John Abbott also sits on the Interpol Executive Committee.
	NCIS has been a major contributor to a far-reaching project managed by Interpol HQ in Lyon concerning the illegal trafficking of human beings. This is a multi- national, multi-agency project aimed at improving the collection and sharing of information on organised crime groups involved in illegal immigration and the trafficking of people.
	As Director General of NCIS, John Abbott is also a member of Project Reflex, a multi-agency task force which co-ordinates anti-trafficking operations and develops the intelligence and strategic planning to support them.

Visas

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made for visa renewal in each year since 1997; and what was the (a) average and (b) upper decile time taken to determine applications in each year.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 11 January 2002
	Statistics on the number of general and settlement applications for further leave to remain received and the upper decile time taken to determine applications are not available.
	Information on the number of applications decided, 1997 to 2000 is given in the table.
	The average time, in days, to decide applications for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom was 46 in 1997 and 49 in 1998. This includes applications decided on the day in the Public Enquiry Offices and excludes asylum-related decisions. Comparable data for later years are not available.
	
		Decisions on applications for an extension of leave to remain(22) in the United Kingdom and settlement(23), excluding EEA nationals 1997–2000
		
			  Total decisions 
		
		
			 1997 166,580 
			 1998 160,080 
			 1999 178,810 
			 2000 249,920 
		
	
	(22) Excludes dependants of principal applicants, asylum related decisions, the outcome of appeals and withdrawn applications.
	(23) Excludes 'in line' dependants and the outcome of appeals.

Visas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to investigate the delays in processing the visa application Ref. N1048443, date of birth 15 May 1972; if he will set up an inquiry into the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 10 January 2002
	This case has been reviewed by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), the result of which is set out in my reply of 16 January 2002 to the hon. Member's letter of 19 December 2001. I apologise to the hon. Member and his constituent for IND's mishandling of this case but as the circumstances have been established I see no grounds for setting up an inquiry.

Visas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the time span for visas for those studying in this country.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 14 January 2002
	Students who have been accepted for a course of study will normally be granted leave to enter or remain to cover the whole duration of the course, unless there is any reason not to do so. Subject to the requirements of the Immigration Rules being met, students on courses of one year or more that finish in the summer will be granted leave until 31 October following the end of the course. For courses that do not follow the standard autumn to summer pattern, an additional two months leave is added to the end of course date. These extra months give students the opportunity to plan the next step of their career. Information regarding the length of leave to enter or remain to be granted to students may be found on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website in the Immigration Directorate Instructions (Chapter 3).

Family Visitor Appeals

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will respond to the Citizens Advice Bureaux service's response to the inter-departmental review team's discussion paper on family visitor appeals; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The discussion paper on family visitor appeals forms part of the review of those appeals announced by the then Home Secretary in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 11 January 2001, Official Report, columns 610–11W. As part of the consultation process I met representatives from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux to discuss their response to the paper. Their response and the other responses to the paper will be fed into the final report of the review team, together with the results of the independent research project commissioned by the team. We will consider all responses to the discussion paper in the context of the review as a whole and will publish a response.

Immigration

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to decide on the application of 29 September by Mr. Abdul Majid of Westcliff-on-Sea, Home Office reference M 612263, seeking leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Angela Eagle: Mr. Majid and his family already have leave to remain in the United Kingdom. A further application is currently being considered and they will be informed of the outcome shortly.

Travellers

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent occupation of public parks, sports grounds and open spaces by travellers, and for their immediate eviction.

John Denham: Legislation is already in place, under section 70 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which allows a council, on application from police and with the consent of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to impose a banning order preventing trespassory assemblies on land to which the public have no, or limited access.
	Under section 61 and section 77 of the same Act police and local authorities have discretionary powers to evict travellers from land when the appropriate statutory requirements are met.
	The effectiveness of legislation is kept under regular review.

Anti-terrorism Arrests

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

David Blunkett: holding answer 9 January 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) on 19 December 2001, Official Report, columns 483–84W.

Anti-terrorism Arrests

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will list the names of those detained under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will list the names of those he has detained under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: I refer my hon Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) on 19 December 2001, Official Report, columns 483–84W.

Anti-terrorism Arrests

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further action he proposes to take in respect of Abu Hamza al-Masri and the two other men arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.

David Blunkett: holding answer 9 January 2002
	The individuals in question were released without charge from detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in March 1999.
	The police are constantly investigating matters of alleged terrorism, and will continue to do so.

Anti-terrorism Arrests

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been detained under the provisions of Part IV of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; how many have subsequently been released; when he expects SIAC to complete its review of those detained; and if he will list the names of those in custody.

David Blunkett: Eight people have so far been detained under these provisions. None have been released, but one of those detained has left the United Kingdom voluntarily. The conduct of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) proceedings is a matter for the commission itself. As I made clear on 19 December, I shall not disclose the names of those detained unless they or their authorised representatives first do so.

Hertfordshire Constabulary

Kerry Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the recruitment of police officers to the Hertfordshire Constabulary.

John Denham: Under the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) recruitment initiative, Hertfordshire Constabulary has been allocated a total of 107 additional officers, over and above the force's previous recruitment plans for the three years to March 2003.
	The force was unable to recruit any of its CFF allocation of 40 officers in 2000–01, but was allowed to carry-over the allocation into 2001–02. This carry-over brought the force's total allocation from the CFF for 2001–02 up to 70 officers. The force has asked to defer just five of its allocation for this year into 2002–03.
	Hertfordshire officers appointed since 1 September 1994 and not in receipt of housing allowance benefit from an allowance made to officers serving in a number of forces in the south-east. This allowance is £2,000 per annum and has been payable since 1 April 2001.
	All police forces, including Hertfordshire, benefit from the national recruitment advertising campaign. The campaign was launched in August 2000 and the latest phase began on 1 January 2002.

Phone Tapping

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether hon. Members and peers have their office and home telephone conversations (a) recorded and (b) listened to on the instruction of the Home Office.

David Blunkett: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 366W.

Dual Criminality

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will define the test of dual criminality.

Bob Ainsworth: The issue of dual criminality arises mainly in the context of extradition. Under the Extradition Act 1989, dual criminality will ordinarily be established where the fugitive's alleged conduct discloses an equivalent offence under United Kingdom law which would be punishable in both countries with a prison sentence of 12 months or more. For cases arising under schedule 1 to this Act where the request is made under a bilateral treaty, the conduct must also be found on a list of offences set out in the treaty. In the case of the backing of warrants scheme which governs our extradition relations with the Republic of Ireland, the conduct must be punishable in both countries with a prison sentence of six months or more.
	If the appropriate test for dual criminality is not satisfied, the extradition fugitive must be discharged under existing legislation.
	There is also a test for dual criminality in respect of a limited number of requests for mutual legal assistance. This is where an incoming request involves the exercise of search and seizure powers or the special investigation powers of the Serious Fraud Squad in cases of serious or complex fraud. Again, if the crime alleged on the request is not a crime in the United Kingdom, there is no dual criminality, and the request cannot proceed.

Medical Pensions

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been awarded medical pensions, and what these figures are as a percentage of their local force broken down by (a) each year since 1997 and (b) force, giving the average age of those receiving such a pension in each force for each year.

John Denham: The figures on numbers of medical pensions are given in the tables. Ages of retiring officers are not centrally available.
	
		MIC matrix of indicators 1997–98
		
			   Average police strength Police medical retirements Medical retirements (Percentage of force) 
		
		
			 England and Wales 125,950 1,811 1.4 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,976 66 2.2 
			 Bedfordshire 1,086 23 2.1 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,297 12 0.9 
			 Cheshire 2,078 21 1.0 
			 City of London 869 6 0.7 
			 Cleveland 1,494 8 0.5 
			 Cumbria 1,166 20 1.7 
			 Derbyshire 1,772 51 2.9 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,929 22 0.8 
			 Dorset 1,287 10 0.8 
			 Durham 1,486 17 1.1 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,007 11 1.1 
			 Essex 2,959 29 1.0 
			 Gloucestershire 1,123 9 0.8 
			 Greater Manchester 6,930 199 2.9 
			 Gwent 1,245 15 1.2 
			 Hampshire 3,471 30 0.9 
			 Hertfordshire 1,750 17 1.0 
			 Humberside 2,056 27 1.3 
			 Kent 3,285 18 0.5 
			 Lancashire 3,344 27 0.8 
			 Leicestershire 2,020 25 1.2 
			 Lincolnshire 1,194 28 2.3 
			 Merseyside 4,322 80 1.9 
			 Metropolitan police 27,028 406 1.5 
			 Norfolk 1,451 15 1.0 
			 Northamptonshire 1,182 18 1.5 
			 Northumbria 3,437 95 2.8 
			 North Wales 1,396 11 0.8 
			 North Yorkshire 1,375 22 1.6 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,341 40 1.7 
			 South Wales 2,884 69 2.4 
			 South Yorkshire 3,194 29 0.9 
			 Staffordshire 2,258 66 2.9 
			 Suffolk 1,189 20 1.7 
			 Surrey 1,642 10 0.6 
			 Sussex 3,063 23 0.8 
			 Thames Valley 3,820 40 1.0 
			 Warwickshire 933 18 1.9 
			 West Mercia 2,036 27 1.3 
			 West Midlands 7,194 81 1.1 
			 West Yorkshire 5,215 41 0.8 
			 Wiltshire 1,167 9 0.8 
		
	
	
		1998–99
		
			   Average police strength Police medical retirements Medical retirements (Percentage of force) 
		
		
			 England and Wales 125,695 1,642 1.3 
			 Avon and Somerset 3,012 24 0.8 
			 Bedfordshire 1,041 27 2.6 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,295 17 1.3 
			 Cheshire 2,111 22 1.0 
			 City of London 790 6 0.8 
			 Cleveland 1,471 14 1.0 
			 Cumbria 1,160 18 1.6 
			 Derbyshire 1,777 21 1.2 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,946 20 0.7 
			 Dorset 1,303 16 1.2 
			 Durham 1,552 15 1.0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,044 8 0.8 
			 Essex 2,936 35 1.2 
			 Gloucestershire 1,113 14 1.3 
			 Greater Manchester 6,913 179 2.6 
			 Gwent 1,250 13 1.0 
			 Hampshire 3,470 26 0.7 
			 Hertfordshire 1,752 8 0.5 
			 Humberside 2,021 15 0.7 
			 Kent 3,269 16 0.5 
			 Lancashire 3,331 18 0.5 
			 Leicestershire 2,037 24 1.2 
			 Lincolnshire 1,171 20 1.7 
			 Merseyside 4,373 42 1.0 
			 Metropolitan police 26,566 510 1.9 
			 Norfolk 1,426 13 0.9 
			 Northamptonshire 1,167 17 1.5 
			 Northumbria 3,854 52 1.3 
			 North Wales 1,416 20 1.4 
			 North Yorkshire 1,360 18 1.3 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,248 48 2.1 
			 South Wales 2,989 64 2.1 
			 South Yorkshire 3,165 19 0.6 
			 Staffordshire 2,279 18 0.8 
			 Suffolk 1,195 29 2.4 
			 Surrey 1,680 9 0.5 
			 Sussex 2,962 21 0.7 
			 Thames Valley 3,822 40 1.0 
			 Warwickshire 925 24 2.6 
			 West Mercia 2,033 24 1.2 
			 West Midlands 7,250 37 0.5 
			 West Yorkshire 5,053 49 1.0 
			 Wiltshire 1,169 12 1.0 
		
	
	
		1999–2000
		
			   Average police strength  Police medical retirements  Medical retirements (Percentage of force) 
		
		
			 England and Wales 119,570 1,232 1.0 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,992 40 1.3 
			 Bedfordshire 1,040 18 1.7 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,271 10 0.8 
			 Cheshire 2,101 17 0.8 
			 City of London 766 11 1.4 
			 Cleveland 1,449 15 1.0 
			 Cumbria 1,116 20 1.8 
			 Derbyshire 1,783 12 0.7 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,896 20 0.7 
			 Dorset 1,306 10 0.8 
			 Durham 1,579 8 0.5 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,047 12 1.1 
			 Essex 2,877 51 1.8 
			 Gloucestershire 1,128 8 0.7 
			 Greater Manchester 6,853 132 1.9 
			 Gwent 1,277 25 2.0 
			 Hampshire 3,479 20 0.6 
			 Hertfordshire 1,772 10 0.6 
			 Humberside 1,979 11 0.6 
			 Kent 3,236 18 0.6 
			 Lancashire 3,249 17 0.5 
			 Leicestershire 2,006 22 1.1 
			 Lincolnshire 1,131 10 0.9 
			 Merseyside 4,175 45 1.1 
			 Metropolitan police 26,566 289 1.1 
			 Norfolk 1,403 12 0.9 
			 Northamptonshire 1,140 5 0.4 
			 Northumbria 3,832 43 1.1 
			 North Wales 1,366 15 1.1 
			 North Yorkshire 1,319 25 1.9 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,252 21 0.9 
			 South Wales 2,972 52 1.7 
			 South Yorkshire 3,183 24 0.8 
			 Staffordshire — 3 — 
			 Suffolk 1,177 15 1.3 
			 Surrey 1,782 14 0.8 
			 Sussex — 16 — 
			 Thames Valley 3,784 19 0.5 
			 Warwickshire 912 9 1.0 
			 West Mercia 1,982 27 1.4 
			 West Midlands 7,402 28 0.4 
			 West Yorkshire 4,916 45 0.9 
			 Wiltshire 1,078 8 0.7 
		
	
	
		2000–01
		
			   Average police strength Police medical retirements Medical retirements (Percentage of force) 
		
		
			 England and Wales 123,476 1,209 1% 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,994 42 1% 
			 Bedfordshire 1,034 18 2% 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,296 11 1% 
			 Cheshire 2,011 22 1% 
			 City of London 703 9 1% 
			 Cleveland 1,424 9 1% 
			 Cumbria 1,048 24 2% 
			 Derbyshire 1,823 12 1% 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,934 15 1% 
			 Dorset 1,354 12 1% 
			 Durham 1,595 8 1% 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,057 14 1% 
			 Essex 2,894 34 1% 
			 Gloucestershire 1,170 7 1% 
			 Greater Manchester 6,910 110 2% 
			 Gwent 1,274 16 1% 
			 Hampshire 3,435 17 0% 
			 Hertfordshire 1,922 13 1% 
			 Humberside 1,911 20 1% 
			 Kent 3,318 29 1% 
			 Lancashire 3,255 30 1% 
			 Leicestershire 2,033 28 1% 
			 Lincolnshire 1,202 4 0% 
			 Merseyside 4,081 47 1% 
			 Metropolitan police 24,935 225 1% 
			 Norfolk 1,419 10 1% 
			 Northamptonshire 1,159 8 1% 
			 Northumbria 3,857 28 1% 
			 North Wales 1,444 31 2% 
			 North Yorkshire 1,312 37 3% 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,276 16 1% 
			 South Wales 3,108 76 2% 
			 South Yorkshire 3,175 30 1% 
			 Staffordshire 2,120 9 0% 
			 Suffolk 1,133 14 1% 
			 Surrey 2,066 18 1% 
			 Sussex 2,855 16 1% 
			 Thames Valley 3,706 20 1% 
			 Warwickshire 925 15 2% 
			 West Mercia 1,951 28 1% 
			 West Midlands 7,420 29 0% 
			 West Yorkshire 4,815 44 1% 
			 Wiltshire 1,120 5 0%

Police Conduct

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he is proposing to the procedure whereby officers can resign when they are subject to sentence for criminal offences.

John Denham: Conviction for a criminal offence is a breach of the police code of conduct. Where there is reason to believe that a police officer has breached the code, the chief officer of the force concerned may suspend the officer where it is in the public interest to do so. An officer who is suspended may not resign unless the chief officer agrees. Current procedures therefore enable chief officers to ensure that, in appropriate cases, officers do not resign to avoid misconduct proceedings. It is for the chief officer to determine whether a officer should be suspended.
	Where an officer is awaiting sentence for criminal offences and offers his resignation the resignation may be accepted because the maximum penalty a Chief Constable can impose is dismissal. That is a matter for the Chief Constable to decide.
	In relation to officers seeking medical retirement, the Government set out its position in paragraph 6.46 of the White Paper "Policing a New Century: A Blueprint for Reform" (CM 5326). That paragraph said:
	Regulations now allow for disciplinary hearings to go ahead in the absence of the accused, although the power is not used very frequently. The Government believe that it is wholly unacceptable for sickness or medical retirement to be used as a means of avoiding discipline. This requires strong support from the centre—which we will provide—and firm management action in using the existing power to proceed with hearings in all but the most exceptional cases. We will amend the central guidance and, if necessary, the statutory regulations to achieve this. Where medical retirement is at issue, the police authority should consider whether it would be right to exercise its discretion not to retire the officer where the public interest in completing the proceedings in a misconduct case outweighs the medical condition.
	We are still considering recommendation 56 of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry concerning the availability of disciplinary action after retirement.

Brixton Police

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Brixton police were accepting reports of minor crime over the telephone between 24 December 2001 and 11 January 2002.

John Denham: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that Brixton police were accepting reports of minor crime over the telephone between 24 December 2001 and 2 January 2002 and between 8 January 2002 and 11 January 2002. For operational reasons, Brixton police were unable to accept such reports between the dates of 2 January 2002 and 8 January 2002.
	However, throughout this period the Borough Control Room, through which all allegations of crime are initially directed, was functioning as normal.

Illegal Raves

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police regarding illegal raves involving trespass; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: Guidance was issued to police on illegal raves in November 1994 and was contained in Home Office Circular 45/94. This Circular contained an introductory guide to provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Illegal Raves

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to police to take action against owners of generator vehicles used in illegal raves on private property involving trespass.

John Denham: Powers available to police to deal with raves are found in sections 63–67 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
	These powers allow a police superintendent to direct those attending a rave to leave and take with them any vehicles or other property. If a person fails to comply with this direction or returns to the site within seven days, a constable may seize and remove their vehicle.

Police Deployments

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics he collates on the number of (a) police officers on the beat and (b) police officers in administration jobs per 100,000 population in each police authority area.

John Denham: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary annually collects information from each police force on the numbers of officers deployed to different areas of police activity. The latest data available are for the position on 31 March 2001.
	The table sets out the number of officers deployed to foot/car/beat patrol and the number of officers in organisational support jobs (that is, members of staff whose primary role is to service the internal needs of the organisation) per 100,000 of population for each force in England and Wales.
	
		Number of officers on patrol and in organisational support jobs
		
			 Force Number of foot/car/beat patrol officers Number per 100,000 population Number in organisational support roles Number per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 1,604 106.8 35 2.3 
			 Bedfordshire 419 74.5 18 3.2 
			 Cambridgeshire 516 71.2 40 5.5 
			 Cheshire 944 96.1 54 5.5 
			 Cleveland 612 110.1 46 8.3 
			 Cumbria 584 118.8 18 3.7 
			 Derbyshire 826 84.8 74 7.6 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,266 80.6 51 3.3 
			 Dorset 640 92.4 12 1.7 
			 Durham 741 122.2 24 4.0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 442 91.9 5 1.0 
			 Essex 1,442 89.1 22 1.4 
			 Gloucestershire 528 94.0 12 2.1 
			 Greater Manchester 3,663 142.2 60 2.3 
			 Gwent 619 111.2 12 2.2 
			 Hampshire 1,966 110.4 43 2.4 
			 Hertfordshire 1,043 100.0 18 1.7 
			 Humberside 1,040 117.9 48 5.4 
			 Kent 1,139 71.7 83 5.2 
			 Lancashire 1,528 107.2 68 4.7 
			 Leicestershire 923 98.7 20 2.1 
			 Lincolnshire 711 113.2 18 2.8 
			 Merseyside 2,109 150.3 84 6.0 
			 Metropolitan police and City of London police 11,292 155.1 774 10.6 
			 Norfolk 702 88.1 42 5.3 
			 Northamptonshire 537 86.4 33 5.3 
			 Northumbria 2,215 156.1 136 9.6 
			 North Wales 662 100.6 39 5.9 
			 North Yorkshire 705 94.3 22 2.9 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,237 119.8 21 2.0 
			 South Wales 1,659 133.6 67 5.4 
			 South Yorkshire 1,487 114.1 131 10.0 
			 Staffordshire 1,142 107.7 46 4.3 
			 Suffolk 625 92.7 7 1.0 
			 Surrey 872 80.9 48 4.4 
			 Sussex 1,062 70.1 58 3.8 
			 Thames Valley 1,681 79.4 48 2.2 
			 Warwickshire 398 78.3 7 1.4 
			 West Mercia 809 71.0 44 3.9 
			 West Midlands 4,375 166.6 137 5.2 
			 West Yorkshire 2,314 109.4 55 2.6 
			 Wiltshire 529 86.7 25 4.1

Unlicensed Vehicles

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to police forces on the prosecution of individuals who do not have a current MOT certificate for their vehicles.

John Denham: No specific guidance is given to the police. The requirement to have a current Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate is backed up by some 320,000 roadside and other spot vehicle safety checks each year. The police work closely with the Vehicles Inspectorate in conducting these, and drivers or transport operators whose vehicles fail the most important standards are prosecuted as appropriate. In addition, the routine procedure of requiring drivers to produce their driving documents also identifies a large number of offences, including not having a valid MOT certificate. The police service is concerned for public safety in relation to this type of offence as many caught committing such an offence will be using unroadworthy and dangerous vehicles.
	From January 2003, information from the computerised MOT database will begin to be available to the police via the Police National Computer. This will significantly improve the ability of the police to enforce the requirement for vehicles to be covered by a current MOT certificate.

Police (Sickness Absence)

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest figures are for the number of sickness days lost in UK police forces; what the latest costs are for ill-health early retirements in each police force; and what the latest figures are for the number of police officers taking ill health early retirement.

John Denham: Figures for police forces in England and Wales during 2000–01 are shown in the table. Figures for early ill-health retirements are not available as distinct from overall ill health retirements. Figures for the cost of ill-health early retirements in each police force are not available centrally.
	
		
			 Force Working days lost to sick leave Ill-health retirements 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 40,147 42 
			 Bedfordshire 13,544 18 
			 Cambridgeshire 17,143 11 
			 Cheshire 27,513 22 
			 City of London 10,497 9 
			 Cleveland 18,955 9 
			 Cumbria 13,755 24 
			 Derbyshire 21,022 12 
			 Devon and Cornwall 33,034 15 
			 Dorset 13,485 12 
			 Durham 20,801 8 
			 Dyfed-Powys 12,191 14 
			 Essex 40,455 34 
			 Gloucestershire 12,261 7 
			 Greater Manchester 101,464 110 
			 Gwent 19,569 16 
			 Hampshire 42,184 17 
			 Hertfordshire 22,847 13 
			 Humberside 16,485 20 
			 Kent 38,148 29 
			 Lancashire 40,858 30 
			 Leicestershire 22,596 28 
			 Lincolnshire 13,236 4 
			 Merseyside 54,256 47 
			 Metropolitan police 278,933 225 
			 Norfolk 16,694 10 
			 Northamptonshire 11,416 8 
			 Northumbria 33,666 28 
			 North Wales 16,234 31 
			 North Yorkshire 17,000 37 
			 Nottinghamshire 25,460 16 
			 South Wales 49,043 76 
			 South Yorkshire 39,232 30 
			 Staffordshire 28,424 9 
			 Suffolk 12,179 14 
			 Surrey 24,715 18 
			 Sussex 32,437 16 
			 Thames Valley 53,659 20 
			 Warwickshire 12,472 15 
			 West Mercia 26,563 28 
			 West Midlands 96,800 29 
			 West Yorkshire 62,554 44 
			 Wiltshire 12,219 5 
			  
			 England and Wales 1,516,146 1,209

Drug Offences (Immigration Control)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries refuse entry to those UK citizens who have a conviction for drug offences in the UK.

Bob Ainsworth: The information is not available in the format requested. Decisions to refuse entry to United Kingdom (UK) Citizens may depend on the type and date of any conviction and the reason for entry. Normal refusal may be overturned for compassionate reasons. The recommended action for travellers who have a drug conviction would be to check their admissibility with the UK embassy or high commission of the country they are planning to visit.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Rural Affairs Forum

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the terms of reference for the Rural Affairs Forum.

Alun Michael: The Rural Affairs Forum for England was set up to implement the Government's commitment in their Rural White Paper of December 2000 to establish a national sounding board so that Ministers "have regular and direct contact with the main rural groups so that they know what is going on and what countryside people think". It will be for the forum itself to define its priorities and agenda for action.
	The forum met for the first time on 9 January. Following extensive consultation with rural stakeholders, its members were chosen to represent a wide range of rural organisations, people, and perspectives, including economic, social and environmental interests. Each regional rural affairs forum will be represented on the national forum.
	The forum had a useful preliminary discussion of its work programme at its first meeting and it is clear that the forum will wish to identify issues of concern to rural people and businesses; to give views on proposed Government policies as they affect rural areas; to review the implementation of the Rural White Paper, and suggest where further policy development may be needed to deliver its objectives; and to review the quality of public services in rural areas and make recommendations for how they might be improved.
	The forum has agreed to some regular items of business, including consideration of the Countryside Agency's annual State of the Countryside report on its overview of Government Departments' reports on "rural-proofing" of their policies. It will also consider other issues that its members, Ministers or the rural advocate may raise. These may include matters referred to it by a regional rural affairs forum or by the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) Consultation Group. Reports from the forum will go to Ministers and to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Rural Renewal.
	Members agreed that the full forum should normally meet four times a year, and set up sub-groups as needed. These are likely to involve a wider range of stakeholders than those directly represented on the forum.

Flood Insurance (Lewes)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she is making in her discussions with the Association of British Insurers to ensure that residents of Lewes have access to flood insurance at reasonable cost.

Elliot Morley: The Government maintain close links with the insurance industry to help ensure continued availability of affordable flood cover. There is an agreement among Association of British Insurers (ABI) member companies that they will continue to provide flood cover, except in exceptional circumstances, for domestic properties and small businesses which they currently insure, during 2001 and 2002. Cases where there is an alleged breach of this agreement have been referred by the hon. Member to the ABI for investigation. However, it must be recognised that insurance companies need to take a commercial decision as to what risk they will cover and on what terms. Also, the insurance industry is a competitive one and customers may need to shop around to obtain the best deal.
	My hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and I met the ABI on 5 September to discuss our mutual aim of ensuring that affordable flood insurance cover continues to be generally available after December 2002. There have also been further meetings between officials and I expect to meet the ABI again reasonably soon.
	Together with the flood defence operating authorities, we are reducing the risk of flooding and are communicating this to the insurance industry. We are reducing the risk through substantial increases in investment in flood and coastal defences (which now totals over £400 million a year). Flood defences are being repaired, renewed, maintained and improved. Flood warning arrangements are continually being improved. The Government have issued strengthened guidance to local planning authorities on control of development in flood risk areas, and are reviewing the financial and institutional arrangements under which the flood defence service is delivered.

Refrigerators

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place to allocate the adjustment to the Environmental Protective and Cultural Services block announced in the provisional local government settlement to cover the costs of storage of used fridges in England.

Michael Meacher: £6 million has been added to the provisional local government finance settlement for 2002–03 for the costs of implementing the ozone depleting substances regulation relating to the period 1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002. This will be distributed to local authorities using Standard Spending Assessments (SSA). The extra money has been added to the upper tier sub-block of the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services SSA. We are considering urgently what sums may be necessary in the next financial year.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

British-Irish Council

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what was discussed at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what was discussed at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council; and if he will make a statement.

John Prescott: The main focus of the summit, held on 30 November 2001, was a discussion on drug misuse and how co-operation in this area might be developed within the British-Irish Council.
	In addition, each administration reported on progress that had been made in each sector of work.
	I have placed a copy of the joint communiqué issued after the meeting in the House of Commons Library.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Post Offices

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value of benefits paid through the post offices was in each year since 1995.

Malcolm Wicks: The value of benefits paid in real terms through the Post Office in each financial year since 1995 is shown in the following table:
	
		£ billion 
		
			  Value 
		
		
			 1995–96 64 
			 1996–97 63 
			 1997–98 60 
			 1998–99 58 
			 1999–2000 57 
			 2000–01 54 
		
	
	The figures provided are in respect of customers paid by order book and girocheque.

Winter Fuel Payment

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, North, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England he expects to receive a guaranteed winter fuel payment of £200 this winter.

Ian McCartney: Winter fuel payments are available to most people aged 60 and over. Those people who are entitled to winter fuel payments and are in receipt of State benefits are paid automatically; others have to claim. The rate is either £200 or £100, depending on whether the individual lives alone or with another eligible person. The information in respect of this winter is not yet available, but details for last winter are shown in the table. We expect the figures for this winter to be similar.
	Number of people receiving a winter fuel payment in the Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency, the county of Staffordshire and England in 2000–01.
	
		Thousand
		
			   All winter fuel payments Winter fuel payment of £200 
		
		
			 Stoke on Trent, North 15.8 7.7 
			 Staffordshire 160.9 74.5 
			 England 9,526.3 4,742.0 
		
	
	Note
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to sampling error.
	Source:
	Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuels Payment 2000–01 exercise.

Winter Fuel Payment

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if a pensioner (a) in receipt and (b) not in receipt of income support in winter 2000 was eligible for the winter fuel payment in winter 2000; and if payment was automatic.

Ian McCartney: Most people aged 60 and over in a specified qualifying week are entitled to a winter fuel payment. However, people living permanently in residential care homes or nursing homes who are receiving higher levels of income support are not entitled to winter fuel payments as they are already receiving public assistance with their care costs, which includes heating.
	In winter 2000–01, eligible people receiving income support in the qualifying week received payments automatically, without the need to claim, as did those receiving state retirement pension or other social security benefits (excluding housing benefit, council tax benefit and child benefit). Other eligible people needed to make a claim.

Parliamentary Questions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what has been the average time he has taken to answer written questions from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak over the past three months; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The number of questions tabled has nearly doubled from the average for the period from October. It is not surprising, therefore, that the time to reply to inquiries has lengthened. The average time to answer questions from my hon. Friend is 17 working days.

New Deal

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of each quarterly cohort on the full-time education and training option in the new deal for young people left the new deal with the qualification for which they aimed in each quarter since the inception of the new deal.

Nick Brown: Information on qualifications gained is not available.

Pensions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the single person's pension has been as a percentage of average earnings in each year since 1972.

Ian McCartney: The information is contained in "The Abstract of Statistics for Social Security Benefits and Contributions and Indices of Prices and Earnings, 2000 Edition". The publication is available in the Library. The abstract is also available on the internet at www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/

Pensions

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he proposes to assess pension credit for pensioners who receive a state pension based on contribution years that do not allow a full state pension.

Ian McCartney: Our proposals for pension credit will ensure that all pensioners, including those with less than full basic state pension, will receive a guaranteed minimum income for single pensioners that will be around £100 a week and £154 for married couples.
	The savings credit will reward income from second pensions and savings above the savings credit threshold. The illustrative figure for the threshold is 2003–04 is £77 for a single pensioner which is also the illustrative amount of the full basic state pension in 2003–04 and £123 for married couples.

Pensions

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will (a) estimate the numbers of women claiming a state pension on the basis of their own contributions in each of the last five years and (b) give this figure as a percentage of all women benefiting from a state pension; and if he will estimate the (i) number and (ii) percentage over the next five years.

Ian McCartney: The information requested is in the tables:
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Women receiving a state pension on the basis of their own contributions (millions) 3.62 3.76 3.89 4.03 4.15 
			 Percentage as a proportion of all women in receipt of retirement pension 53 55 56 58 60 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures rounded to nearest 10,000 and nearest percentage point.
	Source:
	5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System at March of each year.
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 
		
		
			 Estimate of women likely to receive a state pension on the basis of their own contributions (million) 4.27 4.42 4.57 4.72 4.90 
			 Percentage as a proportion of all women in receipt of retirement pension 62 63 65 66 68 
		
	
	Notes:
	Forecast figures provided by Government Actuaries Department are for financial year.
	Figures rounded to nearest 10,000 and nearest percentage point.

Pensions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanisms he has put in place to enable individuals to receive combined pension forecasts giving both state and private pension details.

Ian McCartney: Combined pension forecasts are an important part of our commitment to provide individuals with better information about their pension position and the options available to them, in order to enable them to save for their retirement. Individuals are provided with a forecast of both their state and current private pension together for the first time. The statement is issued on a voluntary basis by the private sector provider, using state pension information supplied by the Department.
	We have worked closely with a selection of private sector partners and conducted pilot exercises to inform the design and development of the service and learned valuable lessons on how best to present and support the service being offered to our mutual customer.
	The service has been designed to ensure that it provides the right information in a way which individuals can easily interpret, is provided with their consent and that the data shared between the private/public sectors occurs in a controlled environment which does not add unnecessary overheads to the parties involved.
	We have amended regulations to facilitate the transfer of data, agreed and designed the format of the information transfers, customer consent process and content of the new statement. The Department has also created dedicated roles to ensure that schemes and individual customers taking advantage of the service, receive the support required.
	Recruitment of pension scheme providers and employers with occupational schemes began at the Pensions Show on 17 October 2001.

Pensions

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the percentage of employees in each decile of employee incomes who were not members of (a) occupational and (b) approved personal pension schemes as of 1 April.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. The latest available data, drawn from the Family Resources Survey 1999–2000, are set out in the table.
	All employees earning above the lower earnings limit (£66 per week in 1999–2000) are members of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) unless they contract out into a personal or occupational pension. Therefore "all" full-time employees and part-time employees above earning over the lower earnings limit (above decile four) are accruing pension rights in the SERPS and/or are members of a private pension.
	Furthermore, for 18 million low and moderate earners, carers and the disabled the introduction of the state second pension will significantly increase the amount of state pension they will become entitled to. This will boost the retirement income of approximately 65 per cent. of current full-time employees (those in deciles one to seven) and almost all current part-time employees above decile four.
	
		
			  Percentage who are not contributing to:  
			 Decile occupational pension personal pension either personal or occupational pension 
		
		
			  Full-time workers 
			 Lowest 86 93 79 
			 2 71 89 61 
			 3 62 87 50 
			 4 54 84 40 
			 5 48 86 35 
			 6 42 84 28 
			 7 35 84 22 
			 8 28 85 16 
			 9 25 84 12 
			 Highest 25 81 11 
			 
			  Part-time workers 
			 Lowest 90 98 88 
			 2 93 95 89 
			 3 91 95 87 
			 4 86 95 81 
			 5 78 94 72 
			 6 74 94 68 
			 7 64 92 57 
			 8 51 91 43 
			 9 46 92 40 
			 Highest 39 90 31 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Information is not recorded by the Family Resources Survey on those who have a pension scheme which they are not currently contributing to, nor which personal pension schemes are approved schemes. Therefore the figures show those not contributing to occupational or personal pensions.
	2. The deciles are calculated separately for full and part-time workers, and are of gross earnings. The separation between full-time and part-time workers is to make clear the behavioural similarities that exist between those in same deciles on the full-time and part-time scale, but who would be in different deciles were the data combined, due to their differing earning levels.
	3. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for region, council tax band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response. The information covers Great Britain.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey 1999–2000

Pensions

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees in the (a) public and (b) private sectors had access to a final salary occupational pension scheme in Scotland in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001.

Ian McCartney: The information requested is not available for 2001. The available information is in the table:
	
		
			  April 2000 
		
		
			 Number of public sector workers in Scotland with access to a final salary occupational scheme 480,000 
			 Number of private sector workers in Scotland with access to a final salary occupational scheme 440,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The information is derived from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The NES provides the percentage of employees with access to the final salary occupational pension schemes and the LFS provides information on the overall number of public and private sector employees. Due to its sampling frame, the NES probably under represents relatively low paid and part-time staff. The LFS, like any sample survey, is subject to sampling error.
	2. NES estimates are collected on a workplace basis, from the employer. The LFS collects information on a residence basis from individuals. Research into commuting patterns has indicated that net levels of commuting to and from Scotland are not significant.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the role of affinity groups in the promotion of stakeholder pensions; and if he will estimate the number of pensions sold through this route.

Ian McCartney: Affinity groups perform an important and valued role in assisting the Government's aim to ensure that everyone has the chance to save for a decent income in retirement. Several affinity groups are registered as stakeholder pension providers. Around 173,000 stakeholder pensions have been sold by such groups.

Income Distribution

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the income distribution was in each of the last five years in each region of Britain.

Malcolm Wicks: The latest such information available, relating to the financial year 1999–2000, can be found in the publication "Households Below Average Income 1994/5–1999/00", a copy of which is held in the Library. Results for earlier years are also in the Library. However, year on year comparisons of this information at a regional level are not advisable as any changes over time are likely to be small in relation to sampling variation.

ONE Pilot

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many working age clients have made a claim for a benefit other than jobseeker's allowance in the ONE Pilot areas since the introduction of compulsory work-focused interviews; and what percentage have failed to take part in the interview.

Nick Brown: holding answer 11 January 2002
	For the period 3 April 2000 to 28 December 2001 a total of 261,742 claims for benefits other than jobseeker's allowance were received in ONE Pilot offices. In 1.1 per cent. of these cases the person claiming has failed to take part in a work-focused interview.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for the City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg) of 18 December 2001, Official Report, column 180W, on the Child Support Agency, how much money is owed to parents with care by non-resident parents in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my right hon. Friend.
	Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Frank Field, dated 14 January 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply.
	Mr Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
	You have asked pursuant to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Answer to the honourable Member for the City of Durham of 18th December 2001 Official Report column 180W on the Child Support Agency, how much money is owed to parents with care by non-resident parents in the UK.
	The amount of maintenance which is owed by non-resident parents as at the 31st December 2001 was £584.56 million of which £317.39 million is considered to be collectable. Although we don't hold the information in the format you have requested, we can give you an approximation of the amount owed to the parents with care as being £192.90 million. The remainder is due to the Secretary of State in lieu of benefit payments made to parents with care.
	I hope this is helpful.

Pensioner Poverty

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the Government are helping pensioners who live in poverty; and what percentage of pensioners in the Midlothian constituency are living in poverty.

Ian McCartney: The Government's first priority was to address the immediate problem of pensioner poverty today. That is why we introduced the minimum income guarantee (MIG) in April 1999 to provide money for the poorest pensioners as quickly as possible. We have made it easier for the poorest pensioners to claim MIG, by reducing the 40-page claim form down to just 10 pages, and by introducing a new telephone service.
	The Government have also introduced measures to ensure that all pensioners share in rising prosperity. From April 2002 the basic state pension will rise by £3 a week for single pensioners and by £4.80 for couples, on top of above-inflation increases last year. This is in addition to the introduction of winter fuel payments, and free TV licences for the over-75s.
	From 2003, the pension credit will reward those who have worked hard and saved hard by providing extra cash for those with savings, second pensions and earnings up to incomes of £135 a week for a single pensioner and £200 a week for couples.
	The other information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
	As at August 2001 there were 1,600 customers in receipt of minimum income guarantee in the parliamentary constituency of Midlothian.
	Source:
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2001.

Disability Benefits (Scotland)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale and (b) Scotland are in receipt of (i) disability living allowance and (ii) disability vehicle subsidy.

Maria Eagle: There is no general subsidy on vehicles for disabled people. The table shows the total numbers of disability living allowance recipients, and how many of them use the higher rate mobility component of the benefit to obtain a vehicle on favourable terms through the motability scheme.
	
		Disability living allowance recipients and number with a motability vehicle at 31 May 2001
		
			 Area Disability living allowance recipients(24) Number with motability vehicles 
		
		
			 Galloway and Upper Nithsdale 3,510 (25)583 
			 Scotland 248,665 37,822 
		
	
	(24) Number of DLA recipients rounded to the nearest five.
	(25) Includes some motability customers in the Dumfries constituency as postcodes DG2 and DG3 cover both constituencies and data cannot be separated.
	Source:
	ASD Information Centre: 100% data

Benefit Payments (Lewes)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of pensioners in the Lewes constituency this winter qualify for old age pension, but not for help with winter fuel payments.

Ian McCartney: The information requested is not available. However, generally pensioners who satisfy the entitlement conditions for winter fuel payments are either paid automatically or through the claims process.

Ministerial Transport

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last used the railway service in connection with his official duties; what station he left from and what was the destination; and whether it is his intention to make greater use of the railways in future.

Alistair Darling: I last used the railway on Monday, travelling from Gatwick to London Victoria. I endeavour to use the railway for official travel as appropriate.
	Arrangements for official travel are made in line with the guidance set out in chapter 7 of the "Ministerial Code", and the accompanying guidance document "Travel by Ministers", using the most efficient and cost effective mode of transport, and bearing in mind security considerations.

Unemployment (Telford)

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the trends in unemployment among under 25-year-olds have been in Telford since 1997.

Nick Brown: In November 2001 there were 401 unemployed claimants aged 18 to 24 in Telford, of whom 68 had been unemployed for six months or more. Total unemployment in this age group in Telford has fallen by 16 per cent. since November 1997 while six month plus unemployment has fallen by 40 per cent.

Fuel Direct

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures the Government take to promote fuel direct; and what the uptake of fuel direct has been.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 12 November 2001
	Tackling fuel poverty is one of this Government's key priorities. A number of measures have been put in place to ensure that by 2010, no vulnerable household will have to struggle to heat their home when it's cold. These measures include the £200 winter fuel payment for households that qualified, cold weather payments, a cut in the level of VAT on fuel and radical improvements to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.
	The fuel direct scheme provides valuable, last-resort protection against the threat of disconnection for people in receipt of income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance who are in arrears with their utility bills. Fuel companies generally make customers who have fallen into arrears aware of the scheme.
	The latest available figures show that in May 2001 1 the fuel direct scheme was helping 55,900 people.
	1 Data taken from the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiry, (May 2001) and the Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Inquiry, (May 2001).

Social Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the costs in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 of the Independent Review Service for the social fund.

Malcolm Wicks: The Independent Review Service provides an impartial, independent review for people who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their application to the discretionary Social Fund.
	Expenditure on the Independent Review Service during 2000–01 was £3.2 million. The 2001–02 budget allocation is £3.7 million.

Means Testing

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people subject to means-testing in the (a) current and (b) 2002–03 financial years.

Malcolm Wicks: We estimate that there will be approximately 6.5 million people receiving an income- related benefit both this financial year and the next.

Third-age Apprenticeships

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to develop third-age apprenticeships in the Wirral.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 358W.

Age Diversity

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if the Government will make a response to the evaluation of the code of practice on age diversity in employment; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The voluntary code of practice on age diversity in employment was launched in 1999 and the evaluation of its impact has now been completed. This evaluation will inform future plans for legislation in this area.
	The report is the first comprehensive evaluation of employment-related age practices across Great Britain and the Government were pleased to publish it on 3 December 2001. Copies are available in the Library and have been made publicly available through the new website www.agepositve.gov.uk.
	The report has identified that much progress has been made but that we must not be complacent in the lead up to legislation in 2006. We are continuing our ongoing work with individuals, employers and expert groups, and looking how to increase the impact of the code on encouraging age positive practices in the light of the report's findings.

Work-focused Interviews

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people attended work-focused interviews as a result of the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001 in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the constituency of Gordon in November.

Nick Brown: National roll-out of Jobcentre Plus will start next year. At present, only people of working age living within areas that are served by Jobcentre Plus pathfinder offices or work-focused interview sites making new or repeat claims for benefit are required to attend a work-focused interview.
	4,985 1 non-jobseeker's allowance customers attended a work-focused meeting at a Jobcentre Plus pathfinder site or Work-focused interview site in Great Britain between 27 October and 30 November 2001. Social Security matters in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
	1 This figure may be subject to change on validation.

Bereavement Payments

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for bereavement payments have been refused in each year since 1995; and how many were refused because of late claims.

Malcolm Wicks: Our reforms of bereavement benefits introduced in April 2001 concentrate the help available where and when it is needed most—on immediate needs and on families with children. For the first time these benefits are available equally to both men and women. Immediate help with costs arising on bereavement is provided by a lump sum bereavement payment of £2,000—double the old widow's payment of £1,000.
	Out of a total of 9,327 applications for a bereavement payment, 316 1 were refused during the period 9 April 2001 to 30 November 2001. Information is not collected separately on applications which do not succeed because of a late claim. Information on the number of applications for a widow's payment prior to 9 April 2001 which did not succeed was not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	 1 Source:
	Pensions Strategy Computer System 100 per cent. bereavement benefit data.

Prince's Trust

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice is given to local jobcentres directing them to encourage young people seeking work to approach the Prince's Trust with a view to starting their own business.

Nick Brown: The Prince's Trust is one of a number of organisations with which the Employment Service (ES) contract to deliver business start-up help within the new deal for young people. The Department also supports the trust's youth enterprise programme which operates in England. This offers loans and grants to disadvantaged young people who want to set up their own business, but cannot access start-up capital from commercial sources.
	As with other similar providers, Jobcentres are encouraged to make young people aware of the support the Prince's Trust can offer, and to refer interested young people to the Trust in their local area. In practice, this means that Jobcentres are guided to:
	1. check whether potential participants fall within the required age group;
	2. explain to potential participants the range of financial assistance available from the Trust; and
	3. refer potential participants to the Prince's Trust and other appropriate providers.

Foot and Mouth

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes were observed in the numbers claiming (a) unemployment benefit and (b) income support in the areas affected by foot and mouth disease during the period of the outbreak.

Malcolm Wicks: Between March and October 2001, the Department received some 5,500 claims for jobseeker's allowance (JSA) in England, Scotland and Wales where people stated the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was the reason for their previous employment ending. There is a normal monthly flow of people on to JSA of about 225,000. Over the same period there were 130 claims for income support attributed to FMD.
	During this period employment continued to grow and new vacancies remained high—providing job opportunities for people leaving employment whatever the reason. Unemployment continued to fall in Wales, Scotland and in all the English regions except London, where it rose slightly.
	On 11 April 2001, the Employment Service, together with the then Department for Education and Employment and learning and skills councils, established Rural Skills Action to help those affected by FMD retrain in other occupations. Rural Skills Action also helped people who had been laid off on a temporary basis to upgrade their skills.

National Insurance Numbers

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recourse is open to individuals who have been allocated an incorrect national insurance number and have no record of contributions made over many years.

Nick Brown: The procedure for issuing national insurance numbers has been tightened following the introduction of the enhanced national insurance number allocation process in April 2001.
	Any duplicate national insurance number that is identified on the computer systems of the Department for Work and Pensions and the Inland Revenue national insurance recording system is cancelled and the contributions record amalgamated on the single national insurance record.
	If my hon. Friend's question refers to a specific case he should write to me giving details.

Claimant Advocates

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of claimants in receipt of (a) retirement pension, (b) the minimum income guarantee and (c) attendance allowance for whom he has appointed a third party who is acting on behalf of the claimant.

Ian McCartney: The information for retirement pension and attendance allowance is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows. As at August 2001 there were 179,900 minimum income guarantee claimants in Great Britain who have an appointee acting on their behalf.
	Notes:
	Figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample and is therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.
	Figure has been rounded to the nearest 100.
	MIG claimants are defined as a benefit unit where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.
	Source:
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2001

Illegal Immigrants

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action his Department takes in relation to illegal immigrants (a) to ensure social inclusion and (b) to deal with employment.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	Responsibility for immigration rests with the Home Office, which aims to remove those who have no basis to stay in the United Kingdom. Social inclusion and integration measures apply particularly to those who are given permission to stay.
	Subject to their status, illegal immigrants found working illegally will usually be subject to removal action. Those who employ illegal immigrants may face criminal sanctions.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Public Guardianship Office

David Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints have been lodged in the last five years with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in respect of the Public Guardianship Office.

Rosie Winterton: Forty-six complaints have been lodged with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in respect of the Public Guardianship Office since 1 January 1996. Of these nine have been, or are currently being, investigated.

1901 Census

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations she has (a) had from and (b) made to the Public Records Office following the difficulties experienced by members of the public trying to access the 1901 Census on the internet.

Rosie Winterton: The Public Records Office has reported to the Lord Chancellor and myself that it has carried out its statutory duty of making the 1901 census returns available to the public, by providing microfiche copies to local public library and archive services throughout the country and access to a traditional microfiche service at Kew. It has also kept us fully and regularly up to date with the initial difficulties being experienced with the launch of the online service owing to the unprecedented level of demand experienced in the first few days, and the steps that the PRO and its partner QinetiQ Ltd. are taking to resolve these difficulties. A limited online service is already available at the Family Records Centre, the Public Record Office at Kew and some other local libraries and archives.

1901 Census

David Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what penalty clauses for performance failure were included in the contracts for the construction, operation and support of the 1901 Census website; if she plans to invoke such clauses; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The contract between the Public Record Office and QinetiQ Ltd. contains penalty clauses as is standard practice in this type of contract. The operation of these clauses, which are covered by commercial confidentiality, is a matter for the parties concerned.

1901 Census

David Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will place in the Library copies of the contracts awarded for the construction, operation and support of the 1901 Census website.

Rosie Winterton: This contract contains commercially sensitive information, which it would be inappropriate to put into the public domain.

1901 Census

David Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate she has made of the cost to public funds of the additional work being carried out to allow the 1901 Census to be accessed online.

Rosie Winterton: No cost to the Public Record Office is involved in the additional work now being carried out. The contractor QinetiQ Ltd. is meeting the costs of this work.

Government Documents

Norman Baker: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what mechanism is used to determine which Government documents are (a) retained within a department, (b) sent to the Public Record Office and (c) destroyed; and what estimate she has made for the last year for which figures are available of the percentage of documents falling into each category.

Rosie Winterton: The mechanism for determining which Government documents should be sent to the Public Record Office originates from the Public Records Act 1958. Under sections 3(1) and 2(2), public records bodies (which includes Government Departments) are responsible for selection of those records which are to be permanently preserved. This process is carried out under the guidance, supervision and co-ordination of the Public Record Office.
	The broad criteria governing selection are set out in the PRO's "Acquisition Policy", published in 1998, with more detailed criteria being set out in operational selection policies relating to particular themes or Departments. These are available on the PRO's website at www.pro.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/.
	Records not selected for the PRO may be deposited in other archives that have been approved by the PRO under the Act as suitable places of deposit for public records.
	The Public Records Act 1958 makes provision for Departments to retain records over 30-years-old for administrative purposes or other special reasons, subject to the approval of the Lord Chancellor. The White Paper "Open Government" (Cm 2290, 1993) defines the grounds on which Departments may apply for permission to retain records. The Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council on Public Records assesses the applications from Departments. Where applications for retention seem, either to the Advisory Council or to officials at the PRO, to be inappropriate, the items are referred back to the originating Department for further investigation. Once the Advisory Council is satisfied, a schedule of retention applications is passed to the Lord Chancellor for his signature.
	Departments are responsible for destroying records which have not been selected for preservation in the Public Record Office or other places of deposit and which they do not require for continuing administrative purposes.
	It is not possible to calculate precisely the percentages of records retained and destroyed because Departments are not required to report the overall quantity of records created. A study of records storage and management in Government, conducted jointly by the Public Record Office and Cabinet Office in 1997 ("Records Storage and Management, a Scoping Study"), estimated that on average about 2 per cent. of Government records were selected for permanent preservation, the remainder being considered of no lasting historical interest.

HEALTH

Health Care Funding

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2002, how much funding for health care per patient there is in the parliamentary constituencies of (a) Sedgefield, (b) West Chelmsford, (c) South-West Surrey and (d) North-West Hampshire.

John Hutton: The health authorities for these parliamentary constituencies, and their allocations per weighted head of population (provided on 8 January) and unweighted head of population in 2001–02, are shown in the table.
	It is more meaningful to show health authority allocations per head of population using weighted populations. This is because funding takes into account the relative needs of populations using a weighted capitation formula.
	
		£ 
		
			 Parliamentary constituency Health authority 2001–02(26) 2001–02(27) 
		
		
			 Sedgefield County Durham 730 808 
			 West Chelmsford North Essex 728 674 
			 South-West Surrey West Surrey 749 671 
			 North-West Hampshire North and Mid Hampshire 736 615 
		
	
	(26) Allocation per weighted head of population
	(27) Allocation per unweighted head of population

Appointments

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) existing and (b) proposed NHS (i) national directors posts, (ii) commissions, (iii) offices, (iv) types of trust, (v) types of authority, (vi) groups, (vii) boards, (viii) committees, (ix) forums, (x) councils and (ix) bodies.

Hazel Blears: pursuant to her reply, 23 November 2001, c. 580w
	I regret that my previous reply contained an inadvertent error, in that the list of planned national health service bodies should not have included a tobacco regulatory authority, which we have no plans at the moment to establish. The full list should therefore read:
	National Bodies planned to be established
	Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals
	Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
	Health Professionals Council
	NHS Shared Services Programme
	Nursing and Midwifery Council
	Medical Education Standards Board.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the additional funding to fast track the delivery of better mental health services has been spent; and where and when.

Jacqui Smith: Announced with the NHS Plan was additional funding to fast forward the National Service Framework. In 2001–02 £12.35 million revenue and £68 million for capital projects will be allocated. In 2002–03 an additional £93.5 million revenue and £79 million capital, and in 2003–04 £312 million revenue and £26 million capital will be allocated.
	In 2001–02 most of the revenue will be spent on improving services in the high security hospitals and in prisons. Revenue in 2002–03 to 2003–04 will be spent on crisis resolution, assertive outreach, early intervention, primary care workers, and services for women and carers. Capital funding will be spent on improving services in the high secure hospitals and in prisons.

Mental Health

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what range of services is available to someone with severe mental health problems; how much is being spent on mental health services by his Department in 2001–02; and what plans there are to increase this amount.

Jacqui Smith: Our policy for England as set out in the Mental Health National Service Framework and the NHS Plan is to ensure that each person with a severe mental illness problem receives the range of mental health services he or she needs. Each person who is in receipt of specialist mental health services should have his or her health and social care needs assessed, and a written care plan should be agreed with him or her. A care co-ordinator should ensure that the necessary services are provided, and that the plan is reviewed as the person's needs change.
	The range of services available may include:
	support from a multi-disciplinary community mental health team;
	access to community-based outpatient and day-care services;
	intensive support from an early intervention team for a young person with a first episode of a psychosis such as schizophrenia;
	assertive outreach for a person with complex needs who tends to disengage from services;
	access round the clock to a crisis resolution team which can, if appropriate, provide home treatment until the crisis is resolved;
	timely access, if necessary, to an appropriate hospital bed or alternative bed or place, such as a crisis house, in the least restrictive environment consistent with the need to protect the service user and the public, and as close to home as possible;
	24-hour staffed accommodation in the community;
	supported housing;
	employment rehabilitation services;
	advocacy services;
	welfare rights advice;
	in-reach services for those in prison.
	The range of services currently available varies across the country. All areas in England have recently undertaken a comprehensive review of their mental health services, and are working towards full implementation of the National Service Framework and NHS Plan.
	In 2001–02 an additional £12.35 million revenue and £59 million capital will be made available. This funding is on top of the general allocations to health authorities. In 2002–03 an additional £93.5 million revenue and £70 million capital, and in 2003–04 an additional £312 million revenue and £17 million capital.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the (a) number and (b) proportion of people who suffer clinical depression (i) at any one time, (ii) during the course of the most recent year for which figures are available and (iii) during their lifetimes.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 January 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 January 2002, Official Report, columns 663–64W.

Child Abuse

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) Part VIII inquiries into child deaths and (b) inquiries into institutional abuse over the past four years have related to disabled children.

Jacqui Smith: Neither type of information is collected centrally. However, we are aware that children who are disabled and in particular children living away from home who are disabled are vulnerable to abuse, especially if their ability to communicate is impaired.
	We will shortly be publishing an overview report drawing out the key findings of a selection of case reviews from the last two years, and their implications for policy and practice. At the same time, we are developing a comprehensive database of all serious case reviews.

Bed Blocking

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the basis on which he determined the relative allocations to tackle bed blocking to the social services departments of (a) South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority, (b) Bath and North East Somerset Unitary Authority, (c) Bristol Unitary Authority and (d) North Somerset Unitary Authority.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 October 2001
	All councils will receive additional funding, 55 councils received extra help. The decision on which councils received extra help was taken on the basis of the councils with the highest rates, and the most severe problems with delayed discharge. Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils all met these criteria, and have received extra help.
	The table shows the allocations for these councils for 2001–02 and 2002–03.
	
		£ 
		
			 County council 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Bath and North East Somerset 467,938 985,350 
			 Bristol 993,479 2,080,468 
			 North Somerset 551,831 1,162,243 
			 South Gloucestershire 468,324 990,292

Bed Blocking

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when extra funding for the relief of bed blocking will be available to local authorities; and from when can local authority social services departments commit extra funding under this programme.

Jacqui Smith: Allocations in respect of 2001–02 were made to councils in the week beginning 19 November 2001. However, councils should have been committing the funding from 9 October, when it was announced.
	Allocations for 2002–03 were announced on 8 January 2002.

Public Consultations

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public consultations took place relating to the NHS last year; how many of these defined a preferred option; and in how many cases the preferred option was approved following consultation.

Yvette Cooper: There are many consultations each year in and about the national health service. Not all of these are initiated, or co-ordinated, by the Department. The Department is not necessarily even involved in consultations unless there is a significant challenge. Department of Health Headquarters and NHS regional offices do not routinely keep records about all NHS consultations. The information requested for 2000 could be collected only at disproportionate public cost.

Residential and Nursing Home Beds

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential and nursing home beds were available in (a) Essex and (b) mid-Essex in March 1997; and how many were available at the latest date for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Information is not available for mid-Essex. The table shows the number of places in residential care homes and the number of registered beds in nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics for Essex in 1997 and 2001.
	
		Registered residential and nursing care beds in Essex(28) area in 1997 and 2001
		
			 At 31 March Residential home beds Nursing home beds(29),(30) 
		
		
			 1997 10,296 4,588 
			 2001 10,779 3,447 
		
	
	(28) Information is presented for the area covered by the county of Essex prior to local government re-organisation on 1 April 1998. Figures for 2001 therefore include the new unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock and the reduced county of Essex. For both years, nursing home figures are for the health authorities of North Essex and South Essex which make up the Essex area.
	(29) Registered beds in general and mental nursing homes, hospitals and clinics.
	(30) Information for 1997 relates to registered beds during the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997.
	Source:
	Department of Health's annual returns

Aspergillus Fumigatus Infection

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precautions are recommended to hospitals and other organisations to prevent the spread of aspergillus fumigatus infection.

Yvette Cooper: The National Health Service Estates has written to all regional heads of estates, asking them to raise awareness of the potential of aspergillus fumigatus to cause infections within their Trusts. The letter gives advice on how to minimise the risk of aspergillosis, including detailed guidance on containment and reduction of spore numbers, particularly during demolition or extensive refurbishment. Guidance is given concerning those patients most likely to be at risk from aspergillus infection. Clinicians, infection control teams and estate teams are advised to undertake specific risk assessments and develop a co-ordinated strategy for ensuring that those at risk are not exposed to high levels of aspergillus spores when any new or refurbishment building work is undertaken.
	This advice and guidance was reiterated in the publication "Quarterly Briefing", which is distributed to over 1,200 recipients, including chief executives of trusts and health authorities and trust estate directors.
	Examples of the precautions that may need to be taken are:
	Erection of barriers impermeable to aspergillus spores between patient-care and construction areas to prevent dust from entering patient-care areas.
	Prevention of dust accumulation, and regular cleaning of ceiling and air-duct grilles when rooms are not occupied by patients.
	Maintenance of negative pressure building work areas relative to adjacent patient-care areas unless there are contra-indications, clinical care or infection control requirements, for such pressure differential.
	Pedestrian traffic flow to be directed away from construction areas to prevent dust dispersion, entry of contaminated air or tracking of dust into patient areas.
	Air and environmental monitoring for fungal spores to be considered when building work is taking place adjacent to a high dependency unit.

Beta Interferon

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Epsom and Ewell constituency suffering from multiple sclerosis have been refused treatment with beta interferon.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally.

Cancer

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been (a) allocated and (b) spent on cancer prevention projects in (i) each of the financial years since 1990 and (ii) future years for which budgets have been set, broken down by regional health authority.

Yvette Cooper: The information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.

Cancer

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many hospital bed days could be saved annually if cancer (a) in-patients and (b) out-patients, who are transfused with blood, were given alternative treatments that would not require hospitalisation.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to calculate the number of bed days or day-cases saved through giving cancer patients alternatives to blood transfusions as many would still be required to attend hospital for other treatments linked to their illness. Further analysis of potential cost impact of alternative treatments will be produced shortly.

Cancer

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the NHS Cancer Plan in tackling smoking-related cancers; and if further measures are planned to address this cause of cancers.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 14 January 2002
	Smoking is the cause of a third of all cancers. The NHS Cancer Plan set a new target to bring down smoking rates among manual groups from 32 per cent. in 1998 to 26 per cent. by 2010, so that we can narrow the gap between manual and non-manual groups.
	It is too early to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the measures in the plan which focus on smoking. However the NHS smoking cessation services have already delivered some 100,000 quitters at the four weeks stage.
	As part of a response to the NHS Cancer Plan, we have already established a number of pilot projects focusing action on particularly hard-to-reach groups. The scope of the pilots will be extended in due course. We have also asked health authorities to focus their smoking cessation services on manual groups in line with the NHS Cancer Plan target. Each pilot project will be evaluated and in the light of those evaluations, and the practical lessons learned, we will be able to properly assess the impact of those measures and what further measures will be needed.

Palliative Care

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been (a) allocated and (b) spent on palliative care in (i) each of the financial years since 1990 and (ii) future years for which budgets have been set, broken down by regional health authority.

Yvette Cooper: Between 1990 and 1994 funding was allocated to the health authorities in England specifically to support hospices and similar organisations. Funding allocated between 1990 and 1994 was as follows:
	1991–92: £17 million
	1992–93: £32 Million
	1993–94: £32.3 million
	1994–95: £35.7 million.
	The breakdown by regional health authority was as follows:
	
		Amount (£000) 
		
			 Regional health authority 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 
		
		
			 Northern 1,124 2,052 2,090 2,308 
			 Yorkshire 2,276 2,409 2,454 2,710 
			 Trent 1,603 3,109 3,167 3,498 
			 East Anglian 672 1,491 1,520 1,679 
			 NW Thames 1,263 2,094 2,135 2,358 
			 NE Thames 1,478 2,332 2,376 2,624 
			 SE Thames 1,395 2,582 2,631 2,906 
			 SW Thames 1,102 2,046 2,086 2,304 
			 Wessex 979 2,157 2,197 2,426 
			 Oxford 774 1,462 1,491 1,646 
			 South Western 1,128 2,493 2,540 2,805 
			 West Midlands 1,798 3,353 3,416 3,772 
			 Mersey 890 1,551 1,582 1,747 
			 North Western 1,478 2,592 2,641 2,917 
		
	
	Since 1994 these resources have been built into general national health service allocations.NHS investment in specialist palliative care during 1999–2000 and 2000–01 was estimated at around £130 million per annum. We plan to invest an additional £50 million per annum by 2003–04. This total amount will match, on a national basis, the investment from the voluntary sector. The additional investment for specialist palliative care will be included in the overall increased investment for implementing the NHS Cancer Plan and will, therefore, be found from within health authority allocations. We will be monitoring the information from financial frameworks and cancer network service delivery plans to ensure that this investment occurs.

Mixed-sex Wards

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mixed sex wards there are in NHS hospitals in each English region.

Hazel Blears: The majority of hospital wards are mixed-sex wards, however these wards are usually subdivided into bays which are designated as male or female. Depending on the case mix and local need, the exact proportion of male to female bays will vary. It is therefore not possible to provide information at the level of the individual ward.
	Guidance on maintaining privacy and dignity was first issued to the service in 1997 and since then trusts have been working towards clear targets to promote privacy and dignity in hospital wards.
	These targets include the abolition of nightingale wards for older people and £120 million has been allocated over the next three years to make progress towards this. Schemes to modify 233 wards have already been approved to commence work this year and further schemes will begin in the next two years.

Dentistry

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investment has been made to improve access to NHS dentists in Staffordshire since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows the expenditure on initiatives to improve access to national health service dentistry in the areas covered by North Staffordshire health authority and South Staffordshire health authority. Over £3 million has been invested in NHS dentistry since 1997–98 in both health authority areas, which includes the establishment of dental access centres.
	
		Expenditure on initiatives to improve access to NHS dentistry 1997–98 to 2001–02 -- £
		
			  North Staffordshire South Staffordshire Total 
		
		
			 Investing in Dentistry granted 1997–98 to 2000–01 328,800 107,700 436,500 
			 Dental Care Development Fund 2000–01 80,000 50,000 130,000 
			 Modernisation Fund 2001–02 336,200 364,100 700,300 
			 
			  Personal Dental Services 2000–01 to 2001–02 
			 Capital 1,028,000 630,000 1,658,000 
			 Preparation 55,000 28,000 83,000 
			 Total for PDS 1,083,000 658,000 1,741,000 
			 
			 Overall Total 1,828,000 1,179,800 3,007,800 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Statistics

Dentistry

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether referrals of NHS patients to the Dental Examination Board are based on the potential cost of the treatment.

Hazel Blears: Currently, prior approvals are required from the Dental Practice Board, which was previously called the Dental Estimates Board, for proposed treatments costing in excess of £260. These arrangements are currently under review.

Dentistry

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many NHS patients were referred to the Dental Examination Board (a) in the UK and (b) in each nation and region in the last 12 months for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many NHS patients referred to the Dental Examination Board were consequently assessed by the regional dental officer (a) in the UK and (b) in each nation and region in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: In England and Wales 638,000 new referrals were made to the Dental Practice Board together with 77,000 re-submissions in the year ending March 2001. Separate figures for England are not available. Of these 33,948 were examined by dental reference officers, previously known as regional dental officers.
	The distribution between nations was:
	(a) England 32,212 (95 per cent.)
	(b) Wales 1,736 (5 per cent.).
	Information for Scotland is a matter for the devolved Administration.

Dentistry

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average cost incurred by the NHS while the Dental Examination Board was considering a case which had been referred to them (a) in the UK and (b) in each nation and region of the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: There are no costs involved for the dentist while prior approval is being considered by the Dental Practice Board, formally known as the Dental Estimates Board. Should the patient's condition be such that urgent attention is required then the dentist can provide that treatment, before receiving prior approval.
	Information on costs of prior approvals work at the Dental Practice Board is not available as the work of dealing with prior approval applications is not accounted for separately from the other work of the Dental Practice Board.
	The Dental Practice Board acts for England and Wales; therefore the information for Wales is also not available.
	Information for Scotland is a matter for the devolved Administration.

Dentistry

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average length of time NHS patients waited before their treatment resumed following their case being referred to the Dental Examination Board (a) in the UK and (b) in each nation and region over the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: 93 per cent. of cases referred to the Dental Practice Board, previously known as the Dental Estimates Board, are approved for treatment without examination. The average length of time taken for such approvals is 3.7 days. For those patients examined by the Dental Reference Service, for the Dental Practice Board, before approval is given, the average time taken is 82 days.
	Information for Wales and Scotland are matters for the devolved Administrations.

Eye Tests (Burton)

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free eye tests were undertaken in Burton in each year since 1995.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows the number of national health service sight tests paid for in Staffordshire Family health service authority (FHSA) for 1995 and 1996 and in South Staffordshire health authority in the years 1997 to 2001. Figures for the number of sight tests in particular areas are not collected centrally.
	We extended eligibility for NHS sight tests to everyone aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. There was an increase of 27,790 in sight tests for the year 2000 and a further 4,440 in the year 2001. It is fair to assume that the majority of these increases were due to newly eligible people aged 60 or over obtaining NHS sight test.
	
		General ophthalmic services: Number of sight tests paid for in Staffordshire FHSA for the years ending 1995 and 1996; and South Staffordshire HA for the years ending 1997 to 2001
		
			  Total sight tests 
		
		
			 1994–95 126,240 
			 1995–96 125,530 
			 1996–97 79,030 
			 1997–98 83,940 
			 1998–99 84,370 
			 1999–2000 112,150 
			 2000–01 116,590 
		
	
	Note:
	Family health service authorities were re-organised into health authorities on 1 April 1996

Funding (Buckinghamshire)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to the Buckinghamshire health authority in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The net revenue allocations made available to the Buckinghamshire health authority for the financial years 1997–98 through to the recently announced allocation for 2002–03 are as follows:
	
		
			 Year £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 265,389 
			 1998–99 263,789 
			 1999–2000 368,084 
			 2000–01 399,503 
			 2001–02 443,321 
			 2002–03 493,959

Asylum Seekers (HIV Status)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health needs of asylum seeker mothers who are HIV positive.

Yvette Cooper: Asylum seekers and their families who apply to the Home Office for support under the arrangements that came into place from 1 April 2000 will be assessed and any medical information including HIV status will be taken into account. If eligible for a support package, which includes accommodation, they will be allocated to accommodation that suits their needs in an area where required medical treatment is available.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptionmetry

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when NICE will issue guidelines on dual energy X-ray absorptionmetry.

Jacqui Smith: Dual energy X-ray absorptionmetry is not currently on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's work programme.

Paediatric Intensive Care

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list expenditure on mobile intensive care provision for children in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Smoking Cessation Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has collated on the number of people who gave up smoking on the quit date set during their participating in smoking cessation services who have continued to abstain from tobacco in the following 12 months.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is available in Statistical Bulletin 2001–32 "Statistics on smoking cessation services in England, April 2000 to March 2001", published by the Department on 5 December 2001, copies of which are available in the Library.
	Table 13 of the bulletin gives information about the number of people setting a quit date and successful in specialist services in the health action zones in 1999–2000 and follow-up at 52 weeks.

Rural Health Services

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) hospitals and (b) other health care services, by category, there were in rural areas, broken down by (i) constituency and (ii) local authority for each year since 1990.

John Hutton: There are more than 300 national health service trusts, and 164 primary care trusts that provide health care services. Many cover both rural and urban areas. While NHS bodies operate within geographic boundaries of most local authorities, they do not do so in all cases, and do not always follow constituency boundaries.
	Data collected by the Department do not identify the constituency or local authority boundaries, or whether they cover 'rural' areas. Therefore, the information is not available and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

GP Waiting Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting time to see a GP at present; and what the equivalent figure was in 1997.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 January 2002
	These data are not collected centrally.
	From September 2001 data are being collected quarterly on the lead time for the first available appointment with each general practitioner practice.
	The only data on patient waits to see a GP derive from the 1998 national patient survey. This showed that around a quarter waited four days or more (with 5 per cent. waiting over a week) for an appointment.

Public-Private Partnership

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the public-private partnership in the NHS in 2001.

John Hutton: Five major (more than £25 million in capital value) national health service hospital private finance initiative schemes worth a total of over £442 million and four medium (£10–25 million) sized schemes worth over £78 million completed construction and became operational during 2001.
	A consortium was selected on 5 December 2001 to deliver a state-of the-art electronic staff record system to all NHS trusts in England and Wales—worth £325 million over 10 years. The consortium will deliver the new system to all NHS trusts in England and Wales.
	Between April and September 2001 a total of 29,000 elective cases were commissioned in the independent sector under the framework of the concordat signed between the Department and the Independent Healthcare Association in October 2000.
	Work is currently being undertaken on a national framework agreement to build longer term relationships between the NHS and the private sector with a view to doubling the number of NHS patients treated in private hospitals from the start of this new year.

European Hospitals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Continental European hospitals are in negotiation with his Department about the treatment of NHS patients.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 January 2002
	Officials in the Department and National health service staff in the three test-bed sites working to send NHS patients overseas have had meetings with several providers based in France and Germany and a provider based in Greece. There have been visits to France and Germany.
	A group of patients will shortly travel for treatment to Polyclinique de la Louviere in Lille, France.
	In addition, officials have corresponded with a large number of hospital providers, details of which will be placed in the Library shortly.

Hereford County Hospital

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if all porters employed at the Hereford county hospital have the same pay and conditions of employment; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: As part of the private finance initiative deal for the new hospital in Hereford it was agreed that all existing hotel services staff, including porters, should transfer their terms and conditions of employment under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 1981. However, new starters are subject to the terms and conditions offered by the owners of the new hospital.
	The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions recently announced a review of best value in local government. One of the issues which the review will examine is whether a two-tier workforce has developed when services previously operated by the public sector transfer to a private provider and new staff are offered inferior terms and conditions than the workers who have transferred. The Department of Trade and Industry has already published a consultation document on the reform of TUPE with a view to enhanced employee protection.

HIV/AIDS

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died from HIV/AIDS-related diseases aged (a) under 14, (b) 15 to 24, (c) 25 to 39, (d) 40 to 50 and (e) over 50 years, in each of the last 10 years.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Deaths in HIV infected individuals in England and Wales 1991–2000 by age group(31)
		
			 Age group 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000(32) Total 
		
		
			 Less than 15 years 6 18 27 18 21 26 12 11 6 5 150 
			 15–24 years 35 36 31 57 35 38 9 6 12 5 264 
			 25–39 years 519 563 814 794 876 726 357 217 201 171 5,238 
			 40–49 years 286 338 368 487 412 341 182 131 120 120 2,785 
			 50 years and above 139 176 208 198 214 193 105 84 80 76 1,473 
			  
			 Total 985 1,131 1,448 1,554 1,558 1,324 665 449 419 377 9,910 
		
	
	(31) These data include deaths in HIV-infected individuals without reported AIDS.
	(32) 2000 is the latest year for which a full year's reports are available. The numbers of deaths are likely to rise as further reports are received. This particularly affects the most recent years.
	Source:
	Public Health Laboratory Service

Digital Hearing Aids

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations his Department has received relating to the provision of digital hearing aids.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 January 2002
	The Department has received numerous letters and postcards on the subject of digital hearing aids. In addition a number of related questions have been answered and two early day motions have been tabled on the subject.
	Our substantial investment of £20 million for 2002–03 will mean that by the end of that year almost a third of England will have access to digital hearing aids.

Worcestershire Hospital

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the adequacy of the proposed arrangements for car parking at the new Worcestershire hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The car park requirements for the new Worcestershire hospital have been prepared by traffic consultants for the trust, using planning standards. Both Worcester city and Worcestershire county planning and highways officers have agreed the car park calculations for the site.
	At a meeting on 10 January 2002 the Worcester city council planning sub-committee approved the provision of 337 additional car parking spaces, bringing the total of available spaces on site to 1,322.

Worcestershire Hospital

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has made for the storage of patients' clinical records in the new hospital in Worcestershire.

Yvette Cooper: Arrangements have been made for storage of patients' clinical records at the new Worcestershire hospital as follows:
	Notes for current patients to be stored in a small library in the new hospital;
	Non-current notes to be stored in an off-site health records library, based in Droitwich, and operated by trust staff. Clear arrangements will be in place to facilitate the quick recovery of notes from the off-site library should they be needed.

Charging

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend charging for (a) clinical and (b) non-clinical NHS services; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: There are no plans to extend charging for clinical and non-clinical national health service services.

Children's Services

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to support the cost of local authority children's services in (a) Manchester and (b) the UK.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 January 2002
	Local authorities use their personal social services standard spending assessment (PSS SSA) funding to support children's social services as well as certain grants made available by the Department specifically for these services.
	Total Government funding for social services will be £11.2 billion in 2002–03, which is an increase of 6.5 per cent. Since 1996–97 total funding has increased by 20.7 per cent. in real terms which is an average of 3.2 per cent. a year.
	Manchester's PSS SSA increased from £111 million in 2001–02 to £114 million in 2002–03. It will also receive substantial increases in grants for social services from the Department for 2002–03, in particular, its children's services grant will increase by 11 per cent. to over £8 million following a 27 per cent. increase in 2001–02.

Social Services

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the Local Government Association regarding financial pressures on social services.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 January 2002
	We have regular dialogues and meetings with representatives from the Local Government Association.
	I met the Local Government Association on 9 and 10 January to discuss the draft settlement paper which has been submitted by the Local Government Association.

MMR Vaccine

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of infants received the MMR vaccine in the last 12 months.

Yvette Cooper: The information available about children immunised with measles, mumps and rubella is contained in the Statistical Bulletin "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 2000–01". A copy of the bulletin is in the Library and can also be found on the Department's website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0121.htm.

Health Action Zones

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of funding for health action zones will be in financial years (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 12 December 2001
	The total health action zone budget for 2002–03 is £51.586 million, an increase of 2.5 per cent. on the last financial year. Of this £43.625 million is for programme and development funding and £7.078 million for specific innovation fund and employment pilot work, with the balance held for central support work. In addition HAZs will receive £10 million for national health service smoking cessation services and health authorities in HAZ areas will receive £111 million of the £148 million health inequalities adjustment funding. Decisions on funding for 2003–04 will be made as part of the Department's work on the 2002 spending review.

Hospital Patients (Children)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many school-age children were resident in hospitals in each of the past five years in (a) the UK, (b) Teesside and (c) the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The table shows the number of admissions to hospital (excluding day cases) of children aged 5 to 17 inclusive in England and in Tees health authority area. The same child may be admitted on more than one occasion and lengths of residence will vary. Figures are not available for the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East, since some hospital trusts located in the area additionally admit patients to hospital sites outside the area.
	
		
			   England Tees health authority 
		
		
			 1996–97 496,877 9,708 
			 1997–98 506,696 10,258 
			 1998–99 491,345 9,907 
			 1999–2000 486,552 10,138 
			 2000–01 481,874 9,683 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episodes Statistics

Social Workers

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department intends to introduce to recruit more social workers.

Jacqui Smith: On 19 October 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £1.5 million recruitment campaign which is designed to increase the number of people interested in careers in social work and social care work. The first phase of the campaign was very successful—with over 14,000 calls to the help line and over 11,000 visitors to the website. We are now working on the second phase of the campaign.
	As well as this action to tackle recruitment problems, the Department is also working with the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services to help employers implement policies to improve recruitment and retention of staff.

Social Workers

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures exist to allow his Department to (a) monitor and (b) appraise the work of social workers.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not monitor or appraise the work of social workers. Responsibility for this rests with individual employers.

Contingency Fund

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what moneys are available in 2001–02 under his Department's contingency fund; how much has been (a) spent and (b) allocated; and for what purposes.

John Hutton: holding answer 14 January 2002
	The departmental unallocated provision for the national health service in 2001–02 was £350 million. Of this £300 million was additional money for the NHS announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 2001 Budget. This money was made available specifically for boosting recruitment and retention, primary care incentives, capital investment in the modernisation of nightingale wards and maternity services and in NHS trusts local modernisation funds. The remaining £50 million departmental unallocated provision was to cover new priorities and pressures requiring capital investment.
	All of the departmental unallocated provision will be allocated in 2001–02. Draw down of the funds will be reported to Parliament in winter and spring supplementary estimates.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients attending the accident and emergency departments at (a) Brighton general hospital, (b) Eastbourne district general hospital and (c) Princess Royal hospital, Haywards Heath in each September from 1997 to 2001 were seen within one hour; and how many were admitted or discharged within four hours.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally.